Evonik Extends CEO Contract, Names New CFO
Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Evonik Industries AG (Germany) will extend the contract of CEO Christian Kullmann through 2030 following a unanimous decision by its supervisory board.
Kullmann has led the company since May 2017 and has been with Evonik since 2003, previously serving as chief strategy officer. He has also held the role of interim chief financial officer since September.
The company also appointed Michael Rauch as CFO. Rauch will assume the role on May 1.
Rauch brings experience from multiple leadership roles across the chemical and healthcare sectors. He spent 16 years at Henkel in strategy and finance positions across Germany, Sweden and China. He later served as CFO and CEO at CompuGroup Medical and held the CFO role at Douglas. Most recently, he served as interim CEO of Selecta AG.
Evonik said Rauch’s experience in transformation and financial management will support the company’s efforts to strengthen resilience in a volatile market environment.
Claus Rettig, who has overseen operational finance responsibilities since September, will return to his role leading the Asia-Pacific region.
Supervisory board officials cited stability and continuity as key factors behind the leadership decisions.
Christian Kullmann