The Board of Synthomer plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Willome as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Michael will succeed Calum MacLean, who announced in January 2021 that he wished to step down once a suitable successor had been identified. Michael will join the Synthomer Board as Chief Executive on 1 November 2021. Calum will remain in role in the meantime and thereafter to ensure an orderly transition.

Michael is an established public market CEO with a track record of driving performance through both strong operational management and strategic actions, including M&A. He has a deep understanding of the end markets in which Synthomer operates, with speciality chemicals and broad geographic experience.

From January 2016 to April 2021, Michael was CEO of Conzzeta AG (renamed Bystronic AG in May 2021), a global conglomerate listed on the SIX Swiss exchange which comprised five businesses. Under his leadership, through organic growth and acquisitions, the group with 5,200 employees achieved a doubling of EBIT in the four years ended 2019 and an increase in revenues to CHF1.6 billion.

Previously, Michael spent 18 years with Clariant AG, latterly leading its global Industrial & Consumer Specialities division from 2010 to 2015, a business which at the time generated sales of CHF1.5 billion and had some 2,300 employees. This followed 13 years in leadership roles in Asia Pacific, where he was division head of the region, based in Hong Kong, as well as in Canada and Turkey.

Caroline Johnstone, Chair, Synthomer said, "I am delighted to welcome Michael to the company. He is a high calibre, proven business leader with considerable experience in the global speciality chemicals industry and a strong track record of driving growth and profitability. His appointment follows an extensive search process. The Board is confident that Michael brings with him the right capabilities to help lead Synthomer through the next phase of its development, as we continue to deliver our successful strategy and invest in the future growth of the business."