After 20 years on the managing board and almost 13 years as CEO, Feike Sijbesma has decided to step down as CEO and hand over the company’s leadership as he seeks to pursue other business and personal roles. Feike Sijbesma will formally hand over his responsibilities as CEO on February 15, 2020 to his successors, Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze and will remain employed by DSM securing a smooth transition in the coming five months, until May 1, 2020. Feike will announce his new engagements and roles later.
Under the leadership of Feike Sijbesma, DSM has gone through a significant transformation, from a bulk chemicals company into one which focuses on nutrition, health and sustainable living, generating total shareholders return of about 400%. For more than a decade DSM has significantly expanded its nutrition business, divested its non-core bulk chemical activities, and upgraded its materials portfolio. In addition to focusing on business performance and financial discipline, under Sijbesma’s leadership, DSM repositioned itself into the successful science-based company that it is today: purpose-led and performance-driven, putting innovation and sustainability at the heart of the company and its strategy. Today, DSM is a global company with a diverse and engaged employee and leadership base, creating value for all stakeholders.
"It has been a huge privilege to serve DSM for such a long time. I am deeply grateful to our board, all my DSM colleagues and business partners for working closely together and for their enormous commitment and contribution. I also thank our customers and shareholders for their trust and loyalty. And last, but not least, I am humbled for having been given the opportunity to serve society by creating value on three dimensions simultaneously: people, planet and profit. I will announce new engagements at a later moment and remain passionate in driving solutions on global topics. I am proud that the supervisory board has chosen my managing board colleagues Geraldine and Dimitri, as my successors. Their appointment is well deserved and reflects the collaborative nature of our business, and I wish them every success for the future," said Sijbesma.
As Co-CEO’s, Geraldine will focus on financial management and capital markets communication, capital allocation, talent and culture development, as well as digital strategy and new ways of working. Dimitri will focus on operational delivery, SHE, customer centricity, driving growth and efficiency as well as innovation and R&D programs. Jointly, they will be accountable for the performance of the company and will drive the purpose led, performance driven strategy and M&A agenda.
