PEOPLE
Sceats heads Ascensus
Ascensus Specialties has named Dr Emma Sceats as CEO, replacing Paul Burlingame, who has transitioned to an advisory role. Sceats joined the firm as CCO in January 2025, following a 20- year career in life sciences, electronics and advanced materials. This culminated ' in a role as SVP of marketing, sales and customer service at Abcam, where she was part of the team that managed its acquisition by Danaher.
CDMOs change at the top
Jean-Luc Herbeaux has become CEO of CordenPharma, in place of Michael Quirmbach, who is transitioning to being a board member and senior advisor. Herbeaux was previously CEO at Hovione for over four years. Stefan Doboczky will succeed him in that role from 1 April 2027. Doboczky has been chairman of the board at Hovione since 2024, having previously been CEO of Lenzing, Heubach and Borealis
ECHA chooses Deim
The European Chemicals Agency( ECHA) has elected its Hungarian member, Szilvia Deim, as its new chair for the next two years. Deim is the head of the Department for Chemical Safety & Competent Authorities at Hungary’ s National Centre for Public Health & Pharmacy of Hungary. She succeeds Sofia Zisi from the Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue.
SI has new CEO
Marcello Boldrini has succeeded David Bradley as CEO of US speciality chemicals and materials maker SI Group. Boldrini has over 30 years of experienc in the speciality chemicals and materials industry, spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas. Most recently, he served as CEO of Kraton, with previous senior leadership positions at Houghton International, Momentive / Hexion and Ashland.
New leaders at Cambrex
Claudio Russolo( pictured) became CEO of Cambrex on 6 November, following a leadership succession process planned by the board and outgoing CEO Tom Loewald, who will remain actively engaged in the business. Russolo joined Cambrex in 1998 and held positions of increasing responsibility up to COO. Earlier, Alan Majewski become CFO at Cambrex after Robert Green left to pursue new professional opportunities.
FECC appoints Bigler
The European Association of Chemical Distributors, FECC, named Peter Bigler, a board member of Harke Group, as its new president at its annual conference in Vienna. He succeeds Lars Wallstein, Co-CEO of Oqema, who led FECC for the past five years. Bigler has been in the chemical distribution sector for over 30 years.
Holbrook to Evotec
Dr Joanna Holbrook has been appointed chief scientific officer and management board member at Evotek, succeeding Dr Cord Dohrmann, who stepped down by mutual consent. Holbrook brings over 25 years of R & D experience, most recently at Novo Nordisk, with expertise in novel technologies, data-driven drug discovery and clinical development.
66 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981