Brenntag SE Announces Supervisory Board Candidates Ahead of 2025 Annual General Meeting
Brenntag SE, the global market leader in chemical and ingredients distribution has announced a strategic enhancement to its corporate governance by presenting a new slate of candidates for its Supervisory Board elections, scheduled to take place at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 22, 2025. This move, part of a broader initiative to strengthen the board’s composition and align it with the evolving demands of a rapidly changing global business landscape, includes a proposal to expand the Supervisory Board from six to eight members.
The proposed expansion reflects the growing complexity of overseeing global operations in an environment that increasingly values diverse expertise, agility in strategic oversight, and strong governance frameworks. Brenntag’s leadership believes that increasing the board size will enable a broader range of perspectives and experiences, which are essential for steering the company through its current transformation and future growth phases.
Among the proposed candidates are three prominent executives: Dominik de Daniel, Karl von Rohr, and Susanne Wiegand. Each brings decades of leadership experience, industry insight, and a proven track record of success in guiding major corporations through growth and transformation.
Dominik de Daniel is currently the CEO of Kühne Holding AG and boasts over 20 years of experience in top-tier management roles across global publicly traded companies in the service industry. His core competencies span logistics, corporate strategy, finance, mergers and acquisitions, process optimization, IT and digitalization, and investor relations. De Daniel’s appointment is expected to significantly strengthen the Supervisory Board’s capacity in navigating the digital and operational complexities of a global chemical distribution business.
Karl von Rohr, another distinguished nominee, brings with him a rich background in legal and financial services. An internationally trained lawyer, von Rohr has accumulated nearly 30 years of executive and non-executive experience in high-level corporate environments. His recent role as Deputy CEO and Management Board Member of Deutsche Bank AG underscores his capabilities in strategic governance and financial oversight. Currently, he serves as a Supervisory Board Member of DWS Group GmbH and advises various family-owned enterprises, reflecting a wide-ranging grasp of both corporate and entrepreneurial dynamics.
Susanne Wiegand, the third new nominee, rounds out the proposed additions with her deep expertise in industrial markets. With more than two decades of executive leadership, Wiegand has held senior management positions in publicly listed and family-owned firms across defense, mechanical engineering, and shipbuilding sectors. Most recently, she was the CEO of RENK Group AG. Her leadership experience encompasses managing growth strategies, guiding companies through IPOs, and leading transformation initiatives.
Richard Ridinger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Brenntag SE, praised the nominees, stating, “We are delighted to propose Susanne Wiegand, Dominik de Daniel, and Karl von Rohr as new members of our Supervisory Board. Their extensive experience and insights, as well as their expert knowledge, would be a valuable extension and complementation of the Brenntag Supervisory Board’s competencies. Moreover, the proposed enlargement of the body supports the Supervisory Board in adapting to the higher governance demands in global companies such as Brenntag, which are, in addition, undergoing a comprehensive strategic and operational transformation and operate in a challenging international market environment.”
In tandem with the election of the three new candidates, the Supervisory Board has also proposed the re-election of current member Stefanie Berlinger for an additional two-year term. Berlinger’s ongoing contribution is considered vital for maintaining continuity and institutional knowledge on the board as it welcomes new members and adjusts to its expanded configuration.
Conversely, Dr. Andreas Rittstieg, who has served on the Brenntag Supervisory Board for 15 years, will not be standing for re-election. His term concludes at the upcoming AGM, marking the end of a significant chapter in Brenntag’s governance history. Dr. Rittstieg’s tenure is noted for his steadfast commitment to the company and his invaluable guidance during periods of both stability and transformation.
This transition period for the Supervisory Board comes at a pivotal moment in Brenntag’s corporate journey. As the company continues to advance its transformation strategy—aimed at refining operational efficiencies, strengthening digital capabilities, and deepening its customer-centric approach—the need for a dynamic and diversified board becomes increasingly important.
The proposed restructuring of the board is in line with emerging best practices in corporate governance, where a broadened skillset among supervisory members is seen as essential for fostering innovation, resilience, and sustainable long-term growth. The expansion will not only enhance oversight but also reinforce the board’s role in setting the strategic tone and maintaining robust dialogue with executive leadership.
