Merck KGaA has named Marcus Kuhnert as its replacement for chief financial officer Matthias Zachert, who announced his decision to leave Merck to join chemical firm Lanxess as CEO at the beginning of 2014.
Kuhnert joins from German consumer goods firm Henkel where he was chief financial officer of its laundry and home care business, which includes the brands Persil and Purex.
He spent 15 years at Henkel, joining initially as corporate controller before moving to investor relations as head of financial statements and subsidiary controlling. His other roles included serving as regional general manager for Henkel’s adhesive business in South East Asia, during which time he was involved in integrating the largest acquisitions in Henkel’s history.
Johannes Baillou, chairman of the board of partners of Merck KGaA’s majority shareholder E Merck KG, said: “He brings profound experience in the areas of transformation and efficiency enhancements to the table and is familiar with the challenges related to acquisitions and the integration of companies.”