dsm-firmenich has announced that Thomas Leysen will retire as Chair of the Board of Directors, proposing independent director Richard Ridinger as his successor. The leadership transition marks the completion of the post-merger integration phase and coincides with the final stages of the company's exit from the animal feed and nutrition sector.

Richard Ridinger

The nutrition, health, and beauty major has initiated a top-level board transition following the full integration of DSM and Firmenich. Independent director Richard Ridinger has been unanimously proposed to succeed Thomas Leysen as Chair, pending shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting scheduled for October 19, 2026. Ridinger brings executive leadership experience across pharmaceutical, personal care, and nutrition markets.

The governance shift comes as dsm-firmenich nears the completion of its strategic portfolio restructuring. Addressing the timing of his departure, outgoing Chair Thomas Leysen highlighted that the post-merger strategic direction is now set, accompanied by performance improvement programs and executive team updates. Crucially for the livestock and feed supply chain, Leysen confirmed that the transaction to sell dsm-firmenich's Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business unit remains on track to close later this year.

Thomas Leysen

"With dsm-firmenich now fully operating as one company, the portfolio tuning nearing completion with the closing of the ANH sale foreseen later this year, the Executive Committee rejuvenated and the margin improvement program well underway, it is an opportune moment to hand over to a new Chair," said Leysen. All board changes will take formal effect following the October shareholder vote.

The governance transition underscores dsm-firmenich's decisive exit from animal nutrition, clearing the path for its global feed additive and premix operations to transition into a standalone entity or under new ownership by the end of 2026.