Dutch food ingredients and biochemicals manufacturer Corbion has announced that Chief Executive Officer Olivier Rigaud will not seek a third term, initiating a planned leadership handover ahead of the company's Annual General Meeting on 12 May 2027.
Rigaud notified the Supervisory Board of his decision to step down following an eight-year tenure leading the business. He will remain in his post through the May 2027 AGM, maintaining oversight of operational execution, performance improvements, and strategic milestones during the remainder of his term.
The Supervisory Board has formally commenced an executive search to identify Rigaud's successor, noting that the forward timeline allows ample runway for an orderly leadership transition.
Succession Timeline and Corporate Transformation
Rigaud joined Corbion as chief executive in 2019, steering the Euronext-listed group through an extensive structural repositioning.
During his leadership, the business focused its capital allocation on core strengths in food preservation, fermentation, and bio-based ingredients, while expanding its footprint across high-value speciality markets. The transition window is structured to ensure continuity across operational teams, long-standing supplier relationships, and commercial partners as the search for a new chief executive progresses.
The leadership succession coincides with the group's ongoing execution of its BRIGHT 2030 strategy, an enterprise framework centred on enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening cash generation, and building long-term shareholder value.
Nomination of Alexander Wessels
In parallel with the CEO succession process, Corbion confirmed that its Supervisory Board plans to nominate Alexander (Xander) Wessels as a new supervisory director at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting.
Wessels brings extensive corporate governance and operational experience across the international life sciences, speciality chemicals, and food ingredients industries:
Executive Leadership: Formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of global speciality chemical distributor Caldic, Chief Executive Officer of Archroma, and President and CEO of DSM Pharmaceutical Products.
Industry Background: Held senior commercial and operational management appointments across royal DSM and dairy cooperative Campina earlier in his career.
Non-Executive Governance: Currently serves as Chair of the Supervisory Board of nuclear technology group NRG PALLAS, Chair of vegetable breeding specialist Enza Zaden, and Member of the Board of Directors of Archroma.
Corbion noted that Wessels' background in managing international B2B manufacturing organisations, commercial integrations, and operational turnarounds will complement the Supervisory Board’s oversight capabilities as the company advances its operational agenda.
Priorities Through 2027
With the formal search process underway, Corbion stated that Rigaud will continue to direct day-to-day commercial and manufacturing operations over the coming seven months.
The board highlighted that executive focus will remain on driving volume performance across core ingredient categories, maintaining financial discipline, and executing the BRIGHT 2030 transformation targets prior to the appointment of the incoming chief executive following the May 2027 AGM.
