Syensqo has appointed Heike van de Kerkhof as independent Chair of its Board of Directors, effective March 3, 2026, marking a new phase in the company’s governance journey. She succeeds Rosemary Thorne, who steps down as chair with immediate effect and will leave her position as independent director on March 31, 2026, to ensure a smooth handover.
The appointment follows earlier board changes at Syensqo and comes as the company continues to sharpen its governance structure and leadership framework. At the same time, the group confirmed that Roeland Baan stepped down from the Board on March 2, 2026, for personal reasons, after contributing to both the ESG Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.
Syensqo strengthens board leadership
Heike van de Kerkhof has served as an independent director of Syensqo since December 2023 and currently chairs the Board’s Nomination Committee. She brings more than 30 years of experience across specialty chemicals, materials and energy. As Chief Executive Officer of Archroma from 2020 to 2023, she led a global transformation focused on performance, portfolio optimization and sustainability.
Her previous leadership roles at BP, Castrol, Chemours and DuPont, together with board positions at Neste, OCI N.V. and Goodpack, give her broad strategic and operational expertise across international industrial businesses.
Board changes support next growth phase
Syensqo also announced the appointment of Miguel Mantas, former CEO of Allnex, as an independent director. He adds significant experience in growth strategy, portfolio transformation and complex cross-border transactions, as well as leadership of international teams across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
This latest Board evolution follows the appointment of Mike Radossich as Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2026. According to the company, these changes are designed to support disciplined execution, operational excellence and accelerated value creation. The Nomination Committee will also seek to appoint at least one additional independent director in the coming months to further strengthen the Board’s expertise and governance standards.
Heike van de Kerkhof on the appointment
“I am honored to take on the role of chair at this important time for Syensqo. The Board is fully committed to supporting management in strengthening performance, maintaining high standards of governance and delivering long-term value for our shareholders.”
— Heike van de Kerkhof, Chair of the Board at Syensqo
With this move, Syensqo signals continuity in governance while preparing for the next chapter of its development as an independent science company. More information is available on Syensqo.
