Senior management

Nationality
Swiss

Background
Michael has a track record of driving performance through strong operational management and strategic actions, including M&A. He was previously CEO of Conzzeta AG (now Bystronic AG) in Zurich, and spent 18 years with Clariant AG, leading its global industrial and consumer specialities division. Before that, he held leadership roles in Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong, and in Canada and Türkiye.

External appointments
Non-Executive Director of Glaston Oyj (Nasdaq Helsinki), sits on subsidiary boards of the Indutrade Group.

Nationality
British, Australian

Background
Lily is a highly experienced CFO. She has worked in the manufacturing and engineering sectors for more than 20 years, and joined Synthomer from Essentra plc, a FTSE 250 components and solutions business, where she was CFO. Lily was previously CFO at Xaar plc, a UK-listed inkjet technology developer, and Smiths Detection business, a division of Smiths Group plc.

External appointments
Non-Executive Director and member of the audit committee of DCC plc.

Nationality
Brazilian

Background
Ana has more than 17 years’ global sales and marketing experience, with a strong track record of successfully commercialising solutions for end markets. She started her career at Ciba Specialty Chemicals in Brazil. Elected president of RadTech South America for two consecutive terms, Ana is one of the pioneers of introducing UV curing technology in the region. Ana holds a BSc in chemical engineering from Escola de Engenharia Mauá (IMT) in São Paulo.

Nationality
German

Background
Stephan has more than 25 years’ leadership experience in the chemicals
industry, principally at Clariant AG, the global speciality chemicals company, where he became CFO in April 2020. Before this, he led several of its businesses, including its additives unit. Stephan brings general management and functional experience in commercial and operational activities, strategy, finance, M&A, post-merger integration, transformation and restructuring. Stephan holds a Diploma of Business  Administration with majors in Organisation Management, Marketing,  Psychology from the University of Cologne, Germany.

Nationality
Dutch

Background
Rob was previously with Honeywell International Inc where he held a variety of senior leadership positions in its performance materials and home and building technologies divisions. Before that, he worked with Süd-Chemie (now Clariant AG) and Unilever/ICI’s (now Givaudan SA’s) flavour and fragrance division. Rob worked for seven years in Asia-Pacific, five years in the USA and 20 years across Europe. He has a degree in chemical engineering from Eindhoven Technical University, an MSc from MIT and an MBA from INSEAD.

Nationality
German

Background
Jan has more than 15 years’ experience in strategy and mergers and acquisitions, most recently as head of strategy and M&A at global industrial company Conzzeta AG (now Bystronic AG). Before that, he spent nine years at McKinsey & Company, including as an associate partner, focusing on strategy, corporate transformations and corporate finance. Jan holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in management from London School of Economics and a BA from the University of St Gallen.

Nationality
Dutch

Background
Alice was previously chief human resources officer at chemical manufacturing company Trinseo plc and a member of its executive leadership team. Before that she served as head of human resources for ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Europe. Alice has held senior HR leadership roles at Fiberweb Plc, BG Group plc, REXAM Plc and  EnerTel/Energis N.V. Alice holds a Master of Arts in social and  organisational psychology from the University of Leiden.

Nationality
British

Background
Anant joined Synthomer having spent five years at defence and security
company Ultra Electronics Group plc, latterly as general counsel, Europe and Asia Pacific. Before moving into industry, he worked at international law firm Slaughter and May, where he developed a broad corporate, commercial and M&A practice, including experience working in Hong Kong and Spain.

External appointments
Non-Executive Council Member at City, University of London.