Lonza Announces New Addition to Executive Committee
· Sven Abend will join Lonza and serve on the Executive Committee with primary responsibility for Corporate Strategy and Business Development
Basel, Switzerland, 2 June 2014 – Lonza Group Ltd announced today the appointment of Sven Abend as member of Lonza’s Executive Committee (EC) effective 1 July 2014.
Sven Abend, currently CEO of Kolb Ltd, will have primary responsibility for Corporate Strategy and Business Development, as well as Consumer Care and Industrial Solutions, and will ensure focused delivery of Lonza’s growth strategy.
Beat In-Albon remains COO for the Specialty Ingredients segment focusing in particular on Agro Ingredients, Water Treatment and Wood Protection. Beat In-Albon and Sven Abend will work closely together to ensure alignment of the Specialty Ingredients segment.
“Sven has a strong track record in establishing sustainable, profitable growth in challenging specialty markets,” said Richard Ridinger, CEO of Lonza. “His market-driven approach to business will align and reinforce our strategic goals for global growth. We’ll benefit from Sven’s scientific background and diverse experience in supplying chemicals and ingredients to fast-moving consumer goods markets and various industrial markets.”
Sven Abend received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, and worked on his post-doctorate at the State University of New York in Stony Brook, New York (USA). He began his career as a scientist with Unilever’s Home & Personal Care division. After moving to Cognis, he rapidly advanced into positions of broader and increasing responsibilities, including roles in product and portfolio management and global key account management. At Kolb he was appointed as CEO in 2012.