Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, email publications@paint.org with “Names in the News” in the subject line.
The Bodo Möller Chemie Group announced that Peter Holm, previously managing director of Bodo Möller Chemie Denmark, has been named chairman of the Danish subsidiary. Holm joined the group in 2008 and was instrumental in building up the subsidiary in Denmark, which he led successfully for many years. He will gradually step back from daily operations while continuing to provide strategic guidance. Holm is succeeded in the role by Karin Håkansson, who has managed business activities in Denmark since the beginning of the year.
Brenntag announced that CEO Jens Birgersson has assumed direct responsibility for its Brenntag Essentials division. This follows the early September departure of Ewout van Jarwaarde from the board of management and CEO role.
Van Jarwaarde joined Brenntag’s board as chief transformation officer in 2021 and played a key role in establishing the operational structure of Brenntag Essentials. He was named CEO of the division in August 2023. Under his leadership, the Didex transformation program was implemented, strengthening the company’s capabilities in digitalization, data, and AI while accelerating the rollout of the group-wide technology strategy.
Evonik Industries has announced that its chief financial officer, Maike Schuh, is leaving at her own request. Schuh, who has been with Evonik for 10 years, joined the executive board in April 2023, where she has been overseeing the company’s finance division. Previously, she ran the accounting unit, moving to the newly founded Performance Materials division in 2020 and taking over as managing director there in 2022.
Evonik CEO Christian Kullmann will temporarily assume responsibility for the finance department at the executive board level. Claus Rettig, an associated member of the executive board and head of the Asia-Pacific region, will take over Schuh’s operational duties until a successor is appointed.
In other Evonik news, the company has extended the contract of its chief human resources officer and labor director, Thomas Wessel, until 2028. Wessel, a member of the executive board since 2011, is also responsible for infrastructure and sustainability.
Arkema announced that Laurent Peyronneau has been named executive vice president of the Adhesive Solutions segment (Bostik) and will join the company’s executive committee. He succeeds Vincent Legros, who headed the segment for nine years, doubling its size, accelerating international expansion, and improving its operating margin.
Peyronneau, a materials scientist with extensive experience in the adhesives industry, has held various management positions within Arkema, most recently as director of Coating Additives. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving the strategic development of Bostik.
Hempel A/S has announced the appointment of Malgorzata (Gosha) Kolton as executive vice president and head of Marine, effective January 1, 2026.
Kolton joins Hempel from her role as EU vice president of Packaging Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants at Henkel where she successfully steered one of the company’s largest regional businesses through volatile market conditions and transformations over the last five years, consistently delivering strong results across Europe.
Kolton takes over the role from Alexander Enström who has chosen to step down, following careful consideration and a desire to focus on more specialized responsibilities. He will assume the new role of Head of New Build in Marine on January 1, 2026.
Tim O’Bryan, co-president of O’Bryan Barrel Company and former chair of the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association (RIPA), has been selected by industry peers to receive the 2025 Morris Hershson Award of Merit. RIPA presents the award to an individual for “distinguished and longstanding service” to the reusable industrial packaging industry.
Under his leadership, O’Bryan Barrel became the first company to obtain a Special Permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation to forego the annual design-type re-test period for steel drums. O’Bryan currently serves as RIPA International Committee chair and is a member of the RIPA planning committee for the 2026 International Conference on Industrial Packaging.