Merck, a renowned science and technology enterprise, has announced the appointment of Michael Kleinemeier (66) as the Chair of its Supervisory Board. Kleinemeier, who previously served as a member of the Executive Board at SAP SE in the capacity of Head of SAP Digital Business Services from 2015 to 2020, has been a member of Merck’s Supervisory Board since 2019. His election follows the resignation of Dr. Wolfgang Büchele, the former Chair, who assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG at the end of January 2024.
Kleinemeier’s tenure as Chair of the Supervisory Board will extend until April 26, 2024, coinciding with the date of the Merck Annual General Meeting, where six new shareholder representatives to the Supervisory Board will be elected. Following this meeting, the vacant position on the Supervisory Board will be filled anew, and another member will be elected. Until then, the Supervisory Board will temporarily operate with 15 members instead of the usual 16. Subsequently, the new Supervisory Board will proceed to elect a chairperson.
Notably, Michael Kleinemeier will maintain his role as a Member of the Board of Partners of E. Merck KG. Merck, renowned for its operations across life science, healthcare, and electronics sectors, employs over 64,000 individuals dedicated to enhancing millions of lives globally through innovative and sustainable solutions. From facilitating drug development and manufacturing processes to revolutionizing disease treatment approaches and enhancing device intelligence, Merck’s impact is pervasive.
Merck’s success is rooted in its commitment to scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship, principles that have guided its progress since its inception in 1668. As a publicly listed company, Merck is predominantly owned by its founding family, holding global rights to the Merck name and brand, except in the United States and Canada, where it operates under the brands MilliporeSigma, EMD Serono, and EMD Electronics in the respective business sectors. In 2022, Merck achieved sales totaling €22.2 billion across 66 countries, reflecting its continued growth and influence in the global marketplace.
