Merck KGaA has appointed two new members to its executive board, adding the head of its life science business sector Udit Batra (pictured right) and Walter Galinat (pictured below), who heads up its performance materials business sector.
The move means that, following the reorganisation of Merck’s businesses last year, each sector will now have its own representative on the company’s executive board.
It will also see Bernd Reckmann, currently executive board member for life science and performance materials, retire at the German pharma firm’s annual general meeting in April.
Johannes Baillou, chairman of the board of partners of E. Merck KG, said: “During Bernd Reckmann’s term of office as the responsible executive board member, Merck built the Life Science business from modest beginnings, creating a global market leader. He also orchestrated the development of our Performance Materials business into a world-class technology and innovation powerhouse.
“The owners of the company are grateful to Bernd Reckmann and thank him for his many years of untiring commitment and loyalty. We trust that with Udit Batra and Walter Galinat, the Merck success story will continue, especially since both executives have been superbly managing their respective businesses for multiple years.”
Galinat (pictured left) joined Merck in 1976 and was appointed as head of the company’s former Liquid Crystals division in 2007, becoming CEO and president of the Performance Materials business in 2010.
Meanwhile, Batra started his career with Merck’s US namesake, before joining Novartis and holding senior roles in market access and strategy. He joined Merck in 2011 to lead its Consumer Health business and in March 2014 was appointed CEO and president of its life science business Merck Millipore.