Thomas Schäfer Executive Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer, and member of the Executive Board will step down as EVP and CSO of Chr. Hansen Holding A/S effective March 31, 2022. Thomas Schäfer has been with the company since November 2017.
Since Thomas started in Chr. Hansen four and a half years ago, he has brought significant scientific knowledge to the company and strengthened the way Chr. Hansen approaches science. We continue to move forward with our strong science platform and our journey of a customer centric and agile innovation organization.
As of April 1, 2022, Henrik Joerck Nielsen, currently Senior Vice President Animal Health, will be promoted to Chief Scientific Officer. Henrik has a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Technical University of Denmark and National Institute of Health in Maryland. He did his post-doctoral research fellow at the National Cancer Institute in the US (2006-2008). After being with McKinsey six years, he joined Chr. Hansen in 2014. Henrik brings a strong science and commercial experience to his new role.
Thomas Schäfer will continue as Chief Science Advisor to CEO Mauricio Graber, as well as continue as member of the Board of Directors in Bacthera AG (Chr. Hansen’s Joint Venture with Lonza AG) and the BioInnovation Institute.”
Mauricio Graber, CEO of Chr. Hansen, said: “I would like to thank Thomas for his contribution to Chr. Hansen and I look forward to continuing working with Thomas in his new role as Chief Science Advisor. At the same time, I would like to congratulate Henrik on his new position as Chief Scientific Officer, as we embark on the next journey as a bioscience-based company.”
Following the change, the Executive Board will consist of CEO Mauricio Graber and CFO Lise Mortensen. The Executive Board is appointed by the Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company within the guidelines and directions given by the Board of Directors.
For further information please contact:
Anders Mohr Christensen, Vice President Group Strategy & Investor Relations, Tel: +45 2515 2364
Annika Stern, Senior Investor Relations Manager, Tel: +45 2399 2382
Sanne Seyer-Hansen, Head of Media Relations, Tel: +45 6038 6207
Chr. Hansen is a global, differentiated bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. At Chr. Hansen we are uniquely positioned to drive positive change through microbial solutions. We have worked for almost 150 years to enable sustainable agriculture, better food and healthier living for more people around the world. Our microbial and fermentation technology platforms, including our broad and relevant collection of around 50,000 microbial strains, have game-changing potential. Matching customer needs and global trends we continue to unlock the power of good bacteria to respond to global challenges such as food waste, global health and the overuse of antibiotics and pesticides. As one of the world’s most sustainable companies, we touch the lives of more than 1 billion people every day. Driven by our legacy of innovation and curiosity to pioneer science, our purpose – To grow a better world. Naturally. – is at the heart of everything we do.
