Clariant Taps Finance and Strategy Titans for Board Overhaul

MUTTENZ, Switzerland – January 19, 2026 – Specialty chemical company Clariant announced a significant strategic reshaping of its leadership today, proposing the election of two distinguished industry leaders, Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold, to its Board of Directors. The move, part of a plan to streamline the board from eleven to eight members, signals a clear intent to fortify the company’s financial governance and accelerate its profitable growth strategy.

The nominations, which will be put to a shareholder vote at the Annual General Meeting on April 1, 2026, are being positioned as a crucial step in equipping Clariant with the expertise needed to navigate the competitive global market while advancing its sustainability goals.

Fortifying Financial and ESG Governance

The nomination of Regula Wallimann brings a formidable depth of experience in finance, audit, and corporate governance to the Swiss company. A Swiss national, Wallimann has built a distinguished career, most notably during a 24-year tenure at KPMG Switzerland, where she served for 14 years as a global lead partner for major international clients. Her expertise is not just theoretical; she has been at the forefront of financial oversight at several prominent companies.

Currently, Wallimann chairs the Audit Committees for both the Straumann Group and the Adecco Group, two major publicly listed Swiss enterprises. Her board-level experience also extends to the privately-owned Swissport Group. This background provides her with an intimate understanding of the complex financial reporting, risk management, and governance challenges facing large, multinational corporations.

Critically for Clariant, which has defined its purpose as “Greater chemistry – between people and planet,” Wallimann’s credentials extend into the realm of sustainability governance. She holds a certificate from IMD Lausanne on “Driving Sustainability from the Boardroom” and was instrumental in establishing an ESG Taskforce at Straumann in 2021. This background aligns perfectly with Clariant's need to embed its sustainability ambitions into a rigorous and transparent financial framework, ensuring that environmental and social goals are pursued with the same discipline as financial ones.

A Proven Architect of Value Creation

Complementing Wallimann’s governance expertise is the proposed appointment of Albert Manifold, an Irish national renowned for his track record of strategic leadership and immense shareholder value creation. Manifold is best known for his decade-long tenure as CEO of CRH plc, a global building materials giant, where he oversaw a period of exceptional growth. During his leadership from 2014 to 2024, CRH’s share price more than quadrupled, a testament to his focus on disciplined capital allocation, operational efficiency, and strategic portfolio management.

His achievements at CRH included major acquisitions from Lafarge and Holcim and the pivotal decision to move the company's primary stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange, a move that significantly boosted its valuation. This history of successfully reshaping a massive industrial company and delivering superior returns makes him a powerful addition to a board focused on achieving “profitable growth.”

Manifold's current role as Chairman of the Board at BP p.l.c., which he assumed in October 2025, places him at the center of the global energy transition. He also serves as a non-executive director at the global chemical producer LyondellBasell Industries, giving him direct insight into the dynamics of a sector closely related to Clariant’s own. His reputation as a leader who can drive performance and execute complex strategies is precisely the kind of experience industrial companies seek to sharpen their competitive edge.

A Leaner Board for a Complex Future

The nomination of two new members is coupled with a proposal to reduce the board's overall size from eleven to eight. This move toward a leaner governance structure is a deliberate choice, often pursued by companies aiming to foster more dynamic discussion, faster decision-making, and clearer individual accountability. By proposing the re-election of Chairman Ben van Beurden and five other existing members, Clariant is seeking to blend continuity with fresh, high-impact expertise.

In a statement, Chairman Ben van Beurden praised the nominees, saying, “Both have outstanding reputations and are recognized as accomplished leaders. Their wealth of experience and longstanding track record in the areas of finance and leadership will be an important asset to Clariant and will ideally complement the six members standing for re-election in shaping our profitable growth strategy.”

However, Manifold's recent actions at BP, where he has reportedly steered the energy giant toward a renewed focus on its core oil and gas business and away from some green ventures, may attract scrutiny from ESG-focused investors. His appointment creates a fascinating dynamic on the Clariant board, pairing his hard-nosed focus on operational delivery and cash flow with Wallimann's deep expertise in ESG governance. This blend of perspectives could prove to be a powerful combination, ensuring that Clariant’s sustainability initiatives are both ambitious and financially robust.

The proposed changes represent a clear strategic pivot, creating a smaller, more powerful board designed to provide intensive oversight and strategic direction. As Clariant navigates the challenges of economic volatility, regulatory pressures, and intense competition in the specialty chemical market, this reshaped leadership team is being positioned to provide the guidance necessary to deliver on its dual promise of profitability and sustainability. The final vote at the April 1st Annual General Meeting will formalize this new chapter in Clariant's corporate governance.