At the end of September 2025, Merck announced that Belén Garijo's contract would not be renewed. Her term of office is scheduled to end at the end of April 2026. The company has ensured a smooth transition in management: Garijo will remain in office until the end of her term and hand over the chairmanship of the Executive Board to Kai Beckmann. Now it has also been announced where she will be moving to: from the end of April, Garijo will be responsible for the fortunes of Sanofi as CEO.
15 years at Merck
Belén Garijo looks back on 15 years at Merck, six of which she spent as CEO of the Healthcare division and, since 2021, as Chair of the Executive Board. During this time, she successfully navigated the company through the coronavirus pandemic and increasing geopolitical volatility. In addition, she put Merck on a sustainable, organic growth path, which she complemented with strategic portfolio changes, such as the acquisition of Springworks Therapeutics and the divestment of Surface Solutions.
"I would like to thank Belén Garijo for expertly steering Merck safely through tumultuous years of transformative change and returning the company to profitable growth. She has shaped the company’s evolution into a globally leading science and technology company while nurturing a High Impact Culture and making our teams future ready. Under her exceptional leadership, Merck strengthened its position across Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics, driving innovation and delivering impact on millions of patients and customers worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to our values and vision, and a proven ability to navigate challenges with resilience, she has laid a robust foundation for Merck’s continued success," said Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG.
Beckmann to become new Chairman of the Executive Board
Kai Beckmann has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck, effective May 1, 2026. "In Kai Beckmann we have the perfect homegrown leader, taking over the Chair of the Executive Board of Merck with extensive understanding of our global businesses as well as patient and customer needs. Beckmann’s proven transformational expertise will be fundamental to deliver the next chapter of our company’s growth. And his passion and vision for technology will drive much-needed impact for patients, customers and society. The longstanding collaboration and trust between Belén Garijo and Kai Beckmann will ensure a seamless transition period and continuity in our corporate management," says Johannes Baillou.
Kai Beckmann has been a member of Merck's Executive Board since 2011 and took over as head of the Performance Materials business sector in 2017. Prior to that, he was Chief Administration Officer on Merck's Executive Board. Since joining the company in 1989, he has held various international positions with increasing responsibility. Among other things, he was Managing Director of Merck's companies in Singapore and Malaysia and CIO of the Group.
Belén Garijo takes over as CEO at Sanofi
At its meeting on February 11, 2026, the Board of Directors of Sanofi decided not to renew Paul Hudson's term as a member of the Board of Directors. His term as CEO will therefore end on February 17, 2026. For six years, he has driven the transformation and development of the group.
Belén Garijo is moving from Merck to Sanofi as the new CEO and head of the company. She is scheduled to take up her position after the Group's Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2026. During this transition period, Olivier Charmeil, Executive Vice President, General Medicines, and a member of the Executive Committee since 2011, will assume the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer. In the future, Belén Garijo will drive forward the implementation of the strategy with even greater consistency and prepare the future of the group more quickly. The focus will be on strengthening productivity, governance, and the innovative capacity of research and development.
