Executive Committee

Dimitri de Vreeze, Chief Executive Officer since 2023

Dimitri de Vreeze has held the position of CEO of dsm-firmenich since 1 September 2023. Previously, he served as DSM’s Co-CEO from 2020, having joined the company in 1990. Starting in Finance, he took on leadership roles in various Business Units around the world before being named Young Captain of the Year in the Netherlands in 2006. He was appointed to DSM’s Managing Board in 2013, and was instrumental in setting DSM’s strategy and executing its transformation journey to a fully focused health, nutrition, and bioscience company, including the development of DSM’s Food System Commitments, a series of quantifiable 2030 targets aimed at addressing urgent societal and environmental challenges linked to how the world produces and consumes food. He chairs the Young Captain Foundation, awarding and elevating young leadership potential, and is also the Chair of the ALV United World College Maastricht, bringing together young people from all directions of life to work together toward a peaceful and sustainable future.

Emmanuel Butstraen, Business Unit President Perfumery & Beauty since 2023 and Chief Integration Officer since 2023

Emmanuel Butstraen is Chief Integration Officer and was appointed as the new President of Perfumery & Beauty business effective 1 July 2023. He joined Firmenich as President of Taste & Beyond in 2018 and drove the business’s transformation to becoming the global innovation partner of choice to the food and beverage industry, leading growth across the Group’s three segments: Beverages, Sweet Goods, and Savory. Creating winning solutions for customers with a focus on enhanced well-being, Emmanuel put Firmenich’s expertise to work making healthier choices taste great, from sugar and salt reduction to plant proteins, clean-label offerings, and functional nutrition solutions. Prior to joining Firmenich, Emmanuel was President of Solvay’s Novecare global Business Unit, preceded by 17 years with BASF, where he served as Strategy Senior VP of the Agricultural Products division.

Mieke Van de Capelle, Chief HR Officer since 2023

Mieke Van de Capelle joined Firmenich as Chief Human Resources Officer in 2016. She was responsible for leading the Global Human Resources, Sustainability, and Corporate Communications functions, setting the company’s strategy and winning culture as a responsible business, with the additional responsibility of being the Secretary of the Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Under her leadership, Firmenich became one of only seven companies worldwide to obtain the EDGE global certification for gender equality and was recognized with Ethical Corporation’s global Diversity & Inclusion Award. A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of broad consumer goods experience, Mieke has worked across Europe, the USA, and Asia.

Philip Eykerman, Business Unit President Health, Nutrition & Care since 2023

Philip Eykerman joined DSM in 2011 as Executive Vice-President Corporate Strategy & Acquisitions, responsible for strategy development, improvement programs, and corporate transactions. He later took on additional responsibilities, including for DSM’s Food Specialties Business Unit. In 2020, Philip was appointed to lead all of DSM’s activities in human nutrition and health, establishing and leading the Health, Nutrition & Care business alongside his responsibility for M&A. Before joining DSM, Philip was a partner at McKinsey & Company, and the leader of McKinsey’s Chemicals Practice in Benelux and France.
He is a Member of the Advisory Board of the Rotterdam School of Management.

Ivo Lansbergen, Business Unit President Animal Nutrition & Health since 2023

Ivo Lansbergen joined DSM in 1997 and held several positions across the company’s various Business Units before being appointed to lead the Animal Nutrition & Health business in 2019. He transformed the organization, reinforcing its position as a customer-focused partner in the development of feed ingredients for the global food supply chain. Supported by complementary acquisitions, Ivo strengthened the business’s expertise and reputation as a leading provider of solutions for farm productivity and sustainability throughout the value chain, including as a pioneer in the fast-emerging area of technology-driven precision nutrition and health. Ivo is an experienced global executive, having worked in science-based industries across Europe and Asia during his career.

Patrick Niels, Business Unit President Taste, Texture & Health since 2023

Patrick Niels started his international career at DSM in 1991 when he joined Gist-Brocades, which DSM subsequently acquired in 1998. He went on to hold various leadership roles across the company, in pharmaceuticals, materials, and nutrition, including spending nine years in the USA. He oversaw the transformation of multiple businesses, creating high-performing growth teams centered around the shift to sustainability. Patrick built DSM’s Food & Beverage business, which was established by combining the company’s activities and capabilities from three former areas in 2021, to serve the fast-moving global industry with sustainable solutions for taste, texture, and health.

Dr. Sarah Reisinger, Chief Science & Research Officer since 2023

Sarah Reisinger has driven Firmenich toward new frontiers of scientific excellence, building on the company’s legacy of industry-leading innovation. By embracing new technology to deliver breakthrough solutions in a fast-changing world, she has harnessed a multidisciplinary and global approach to research and development. Sarah combines an extensive background in biotechnology with a strong track record in ingredients and technology development for the consumer goods industry. Prior to joining Firmenich in 2018, she held pivotal roles at Ginkgo Bioworks, Intrexon, and Amyris, having started her career in the field of biology and cancer therapeutics. She is Chair of EuropaBio.

Ralf Schmeitz, Chief Financial Officer since 2023

Ralf Schmeitz was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of dsm-firmenich in September 2023, marking a significant milestone in his journey with the company. He initially joined the company in 2006 under its previous identity, DSM, and his path has been marked by outstanding achievements and a track record of strong performance. Ralf has played a pivotal role in propelling the transformation of the Finance function and in navigating substantial portfolio changes. Prior to his CFO role, Ralf held the position of Head of Group Finance, overseeing Finance & Control, Treasury and Taxation. In his last role at former DSM, he held the position of Group Controller, spearheading both the Business Controlling and Accounting teams. Ralf began his career at PwC, laying strong foundations and building financial and strategic acumen, and then moved to Hewlett Packard, where he assumed diverse leadership responsibilities in Finance.

Jane Sinclair, Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer since 2023

Jane Sinclair joined Firmenich in 2016, bringing more than 30 years of international experience in FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and research companies. With extensive experience in emerging and mature markets, Jane is dedicated to bringing progress to life by fostering enduring trust through responsible business practices that benefit current and future generations. In addition to being the General Counsel, Jane led the Firmenich Legal & Compliance functions with direct oversight of Legal; Intellectual Property; Quality, Health, Safety & Environment; Regulatory; Business Ethics; and Trade Compliance. With her commitment to responsible business, the company’s leadership in environmental, safety and regulatory stewardship has been recognized globally. Prior to joining Firmenich, Jane worked in multiple senior roles in Asia Pacific, the US, Europe and Australia for Abbott, AbbVie, Genea, and The Coca-Cola Company. She is Board Member of the National Safety Council (USA).