The Supervisory Board of specialty chemicals company LANXESS agreed in best mutual way to Michael Pontzen’s request to early terminate his appointment as Chief Financial Officer as of August 31, 2023. From September 1, he will pursue a new role as CFO at a company outside of Germany.

The Supervisory Board has appointed Oliver Stratmann as the new Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds Michael Pontzen with effect of September 1, 2023.

Michael Pontzen has been with LANXESS since 2004. He held various management positions within the company’s finance organization, prior to being appointed to the Board of Management in 2015. The Supervisory Board and the entire Board of Management thank him for his contribution during his career at LANXESS. “We deeply regret Michael Pontzen’s decision to leave the company to pursue his professional career outside the Group. We wish him best of success in his new role and responsibility and thank him for his excellent work” said Dr. Matthias Wolfgruber, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of LANXESS. “Michael has been a vital part of our leadership team for almost 19 years and I personally thank him for his passion and commitment. It has been a pleasure working with him throughout all those years”, said Matthias Zachert, CEO of LANXESS.

Stratmann started with LANXESS in 2004 and also held different management positions in the finance organization, leading the Treasury & Investor Relations Department since 2015. In this role, he was responsible for structuring the financing of LANXESS largest acquisitions, including the first sustainability-oriented financing instruments, and for its capital market communications. He joined the company from Celanese AG in 2004 as Investor Relations Manager and had previously held a position in Celanese’s Controlling department. Stratmann has a degree in economics.

“I am convinced that Oliver will serve LANXESS as a team oriented strong player in our Board of Management, based on his broad capital market experience and financial knowledge”, said Dr. Matthias Wolfgruber. CEO Matthias Zachert: “I am very happy that we have a strong internal successor in Oliver and would like to welcome him on the Board of Management. The chemical industry is facing extreme challenges - so it’s good that we have an experienced colleague joining the Board who knows the markets and the company extremely well. I wish him a successful start”.