Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (MCG) has appointed Manabu Chikumoto as Chief Executive Officer effective from April 1, 2024. He replaces Jean-Marc Gilson who assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of MCG in April 2021.

Gilson has been working toward the goal of growth and operational excellence under the "Forging the future" management policy announced in December 2021, by implementing globalization of management practices, refined marketing practices, cost structure reform, disciplined working capital management, etc., and has been able to improve MCG's profitability in a challenging business environment.

However, MCG is currently facing the key management issues such as carbon neutrality and circular economy initiatives, industry restructuring in the Japanese petrochemical business, growth of the Specialty Materials business, and further portfolio reform.

In recognition of these current issues, MCG has decided to appoint Manabu Chikumoto, who has deep business expertise and is widely connected in the chemical industry in Japan and elsewhere, as the next Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, in order to enhance MCG's corporate value under a leader who can take the lead in developing and implementing a growth strategy by directly addressing these management issues.

Chikumoto joined Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Limited in April 1988 and has been serving the company in various positions. He is currently working as Executive Vice President, Head of Basic Materials, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation.