Clariant Board Proposes Election of Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold
Clariant, a global specialty chemical company with a strong focus on sustainability, announced today that its Board of Directors has decided to propose the election of Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold as independent, non-executive members of the Clariant Board. The proposal will be presented to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 1 April 2026.
The nominations reflect Clariant’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its governance, expanding expertise at the Board level, and ensuring the company continues to deliver sustainable and profitable growth in the specialty chemicals sector.
Proposed Board Members
Regula Wallimann
Regula Wallimann, a Swiss national, brings extensive experience in finance, corporate governance, audit, and risk management. She currently serves as a non-executive board member and Chairwoman of the Audit Committee at publicly listed companies Straumann Group and Adecco Group, as well as the private equity-owned Swissport Group.
Before her non-executive roles, Regula Wallimann enjoyed a long and distinguished career at KPMG Switzerland from 1993 to 2017. During her tenure, she served as the Global Lead Partner for a variety of large listed and non-listed international and national clients. She was also a member of KPMG Switzerland’s strategic Partners’ Committee from 2012 to 2014.
Her broad expertise spans multiple sectors and includes financial and non-financial reporting, auditing, corporate governance, and risk management. Regula Wallimann has held a variety of senior executive and non-executive positions, demonstrating a proven ability to guide complex organizations with a focus on both operational efficiency and compliance.
She holds a business degree (lic. oec. HSG) from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and is a Certified Public Accountant (Swiss and U.S.). Her combination of academic achievement, professional certification, and hands-on leadership experience positions her as a highly valuable addition to the Clariant Board.
Albert Manifold
Albert Manifold, an Irish national, is a seasoned executive with significant experience in leadership, operational management, and strategic decision-making. Since 1 October 2025, he has served as Chairman of the Board of BP p.l.c., having previously joined as a non-executive director on 1 September 2025.
Prior to his current role, Albert Manifold had a long and successful career at CRH plc, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from January 2014 until December 2024. Over 28 years at CRH, he held numerous senior positions and developed a strong track record in strategic leadership, operational delivery, disciplined capital allocation, and cash flow generation.
Albert Manifold also serves as a non-executive director at publicly listed LyondellBasell Industries and privately-owned Mercury Engineering, providing him with extensive exposure to global business operations across multiple sectors.
He holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Master in Business Studies from Dublin City University. Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Accountant, combining technical financial expertise with executive leadership experience. His strategic insight and operational knowledge are expected to complement Clariant’s existing Board and support the company’s medium-term growth objectives.
Re-election of Existing Board Members
In addition to the nominations of Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold, the Clariant Board has proposed the re-election of existing members. These include:
- Ben van Beurden, as Chairman of the Board
- Claudia Suessmuth Dyckerhoff
- Susanne Wamsler
- Ahmed Mohammed Al Umar
- Jens Lohman
- Thilo Mannhardt
With these re-elections and the new nominations, the Board intends to reduce its size from eleven to eight members, streamlining governance and enhancing decision-making efficiency.
Statement from the Board’s Independent Chairman
Ben van Beurden, Clariant’s independent Chairman, commented on the nominations:
I am truly delighted that Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold have accepted the nomination for election to the Clariant Board. 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.
Together, they will play a key role in shaping our profitable growth strategy and supporting Clariant’s medium-term ambitions. We look forward to welcoming them to our Board and benefiting from their expertise as we continue to advance sustainable solutions in the specialty chemicals sector.
Strengthening Governance and Expertise
The addition of Regula Wallimann and Albert Manifold reflects Clariant’s continued commitment to strong corporate governance and Board diversity of experience. By bringing together leaders with complementary backgrounds in finance, strategy, operational management, and international business, Clariant is reinforcing its ability to make informed, forward-looking decisions that drive sustainable growth.
Regula Wallimann’s audit and finance expertise will provide critical oversight and insight into risk management and reporting processes. Albert Manifold’s experience in operational leadership and capital discipline will enhance strategic decision-making and operational efficiency across the organization.
This combination ensures that Clariant is well-positioned to navigate evolving market dynamics, meet stakeholder expectations, and continue delivering value to shareholders while adhering to its sustainability-focused strategy.
Source Link: https://www.clariant.com/
