March 8, 2021

DSM announces new supervisory board chairman

Royal DSM has announced that Rob Routs will retire as chairman and member of the DSM Supervisory Board at the close of the company's annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on May 6.

The supervisory board has appointed Thomas Leysen to succeed him as chairman. Furthermore, it announces that the supervisory board will nominate Corien M. Wortmann-Kool to join as a new supervisory board member.

Routs has been a member of the DSM Supervisory Board since April 2010 and chairman since May 2011. He was reappointed for a final term by the 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders to facilitate a smooth transfer and continuity to the new co-CEO leadership structure.

When Routs took over, DSM had successfully transformed from a chemical company into a "Life Sciences and Materials Sciences" company. Under his guidance, DSM continued the restructuring of its portfolio and evolution into the purpose-led, performance-driven "Nutrition, Health & Sustainable Living" company it is today.

Leysen has joined the supervisory board in 2020 and will succeed Routs after the upcoming general meeting.

Routs said: "I am incredibly grateful to have served ten years as chairman and eleven years as member of the supervisory board of this incredible company. (Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze, co-CEOs of DSM) have taken up their new joint role seamlessly and I am proud that DSM is now well-positioned to capitalise on its long-term strategy, to use its science-based capabilities to create a positive impact and to deliver value for all stakeholders. I am pleased and feel very comfortable to hand-over to Thomas Leysen, whose experience will support DSM's leadership on the company's ongoing journey to create brighter lives for all."

Meanwhile, the nomination of Corien M. Wortmann-Kool will strengthen the supervisory board's profile in the areas of finance, accounting, auditing and risk. Her nomination will also help maintain the board's strong profile in the areas of sustainability, governance, compliance and public affairs. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in finance and economics at executive level, as well as the national and international societal and political context companies operate in.

- DSM