Symrise AG, a leading global supplier of flavors and fragrances, cosmetic and functional ingredients, has announced a planned leadership transition that will shape its financial strategy and segment leadership for years to come. The Supervisory Board appointed Martin Huber (56) as the company’s next Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2027, succeeding Olaf Klinger (61), who will step down after more than eleven years in the role. In a separate decision, the Supervisory Board extended the Executive Board mandate of Walter Ribeiro (56), President Taste, Nutrition & Health, by four additional years until September 19, 2031.
The CFO succession is significant because Klinger has been a central figure in Symrise’s financial development, including its entry into the DAX and a consistent track record of dividend growth. Michael König, Chair of the Supervisory Board, credited Klinger with strengthening the company’s financial profile and capital markets position. Huber brings more than 20 years of international finance and leadership experience from Nestlé, Nespresso and Aryzta, where he led global finance organizations and contributed to operational and financial transformations. His appointment signals continuity in disciplined capital allocation and a focus on profitable growth as Symrise executes its ONE SYM transformation. “Symrise combines a strong culture of innovation with attractive growth markets and a clear long-term strategy,” Huber said, adding that he will strive toward disciplined execution of the transformation.
The extension of Ribeiro’s mandate provides stability in the Taste, Nutrition & Health segment, a key growth driver. Ribeiro has been with Symrise for more than 30 years and has served on the Executive Board since September 2024. His deep industry expertise and understanding of the value chain have contributed significantly to the segment’s development. The dual announcements demonstrate the Supervisory Board’s emphasis on long-term planning and leadership continuity, which is important for investors and customers alike as Symrise navigates a competitive global market. The company, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, reported sales of around EUR 4.9 billion in the 2025 financial year and operates more than 100 branches worldwide. For more information, visit www.symrise.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com, and the company shares updates via linkedin.com/company/Symrise and youtube.com/agsymrise.
