By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : April 18, 2026 9:53 am
Chemicals leader taps Michael Rauch as CFO in unanimous board move
Evonik has locked in its leadership for the long haul.
The Supervisory Board has unanimously agreed to extend CEO Christian Kullmann’s tenure through 2030, signalling a clear bet on continuity as the chemicals giant navigates volatile markets. At the same extraordinary meeting, the board also unanimously appointed Michael Rauch as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer.
Kullmann, a veteran of Evonik since 2003 and CEO since 2017, will see his contract formally extended on June 3 at the Annual General Meeting. The decision underscores confidence in his leadership during a turbulent period for the industry.
"Christian Kullmann stands for stability and continuity in challenging times," says Supervisory Board Chairman Bernd Tönjes. "He has steered Evonik through difficult waters in recent years. The supervisory board is counting on the Executive Board to keep the course and continue to make Evonik fit for the future."
Support for Kullmann spans the board. "I know and appreciate Christian Kullmann as a tough and open negotiating partner," says Deputy Chairman Alexander Bercht. "We don't agree on all issues, but once we have agreed, you can fully rely on him. He is politically experienced and always open for debate, which is worth a lot, especially in these times."
The appointment of Rauch adds a seasoned operator to Evonik’s top team. He brings 16 years of industry experience from Henkel, alongside leadership roles at Selecta AG, CompuGroup Medical, and Douglas. Most recently, he served as interim CEO at Selecta.
“In Michael Rauch, Evonik has found a CFO who has a great deal of experience with transformation,” says Tönjes. "We are convinced that he combines the best qualities overall to make Evonik even more weatherproof in a volatile market environment through resilient financial management. With a strong CEO at the helm and an excellent Executive Board overall, Evonik can tackle with full force the goals it has set."
Kullmann, who has doubled as interim CFO since September, welcomed the appointment. "In personal conversations, I have gained a very good impression of Michael Rauch," he says.
"We have major challenges to overcome and need a crisis-proof, experienced executive like him. At the same time, a heartfelt thank you goes to Claus Rettig, who has been performing the operational tasks in the Finance Department since September."
Rauch will officially take over on May 1 and is set to meet shareholders at the June 3 Annual General Meeting. Meanwhile, Claus Rettig will return full-time to leading the Asia-Pacific region, as Evonik sharpens its focus on execution under a reinforced leadership team.