The Board of Directors consists of eight members. They are Sika's highest governing body and bring with them a vast array of experience, skills, and expertise that are in line with our strategic goals.
Paul Johann Hälg
Chair of the Board of Directors
Former CEO of Global Technology Group (Dätwyler)
Year of birth: 1954
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2009
Chair of the Board since: 2012
Paul J. Hälg is considered to be independent.
Paul Johann Hälg
Chair of the Board of Directors
Former CEO of Global Technology Group (Dätwyler)
Year of birth: 1954
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2009
Chair of the Board since: 2012
Paul J. Hälg is considered to be independent.
Education
Dr. sc. techn., ETH Zurich
Career
2004–2016: CEO, Dätwyler Group, Altdorf
2001–2004: Executive Vice President, Forbo International SA, Eglisau
1987–2001: Product Manager, Commercial Director, CEO, Gurit Essex AG, Freienbach
1981–1986: Project and Group Leader, Schweizerische Aluminium AG (Alusuisse), Zurich
Mandates in listed companies:
Chair of the Board: Dätwyler Holding AG (and therefore also of PEMA AG and Dätwyler Führungs AG), Altdorf
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Chair of the Board: Welfare Foundation Sika, Baar
Member of the Board: Sonceboz Automotive SA, Sonceboz
Member of the Foundation Council: ETH Foundation (supports education and research at ETH), Zurich; Swisscontact (Swiss foundation promoting economic, social, and ecological development in emerging economies), Zurich; Rega (non-profit Swiss air-rescue service), Zurich
Key Skills and Experience:
Paul Hälg brings with him extensive industry and strategic leadership experience based on more than 30 years in management positions at large industrial companies - among them 12 years as CEO of the Datwyler Group, a company focusing on system-critical elastomer components with sales in over 100 countries. He holds a PhD in chemistry and has specific know-how in adhesives technologies as well as a deep understanding of chemical innovation. This expertise together with his longstanding engagement as a Foundation Council Member of Swisscontact, a Swiss foundation with the purpose to promote an inclusive economic, social and ecological development in developing and emerging economies, also provide him with the right knowledge to oversee and drive Sika’s performance in the area of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
Viktor Waldemar Balli
Board of Directors
Former CFO of Global Manufacturer of Chocolate and Cocoa Products (Barry Callebaut)
Year of birth: 1957
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2019
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Sustainability Committee
Viktor W. Balli is considered to be independent.
Viktor Waldemar Balli
Board of Directors
Former CFO of Global Manufacturer of Chocolate and Cocoa Products (Barry Callebaut)
Year of birth: 1957
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2019
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Sustainability Committee
Viktor W. Balli is considered to be independent.
Education
MSc Chemical Engineer, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH); M.A. Economics, University of St. Gallen (HSG)
Career
2007-2018: CFO Barry Callebaut Group, Zurich, Switzerland
1996-2006: Director of Niantic Group (Family Holding)
1991-1995: Principal of Adinvest AG, Zurich, Switzerland
1989-1991: Head Corporate Finance, Marc Rich & Co Holding AG, Zug, Switzerland
1985-1989: Financial Analyst and Manager, EniChem International AG, Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy
Mandates in listed companies:
Member of the Board: Givaudan AG, Vernier (Chair of Audit Committee and Member of Compensation Committee); Medacta International SA, Castel San Pietro (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee); KWS Saat SE & Co. KGaA, Einbeck, Germany (Chair of the Audit Committee)
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Member of the Board: Swiss Federal Audit Oversight Authority (RAB), Bern; Hemro AG, Zurich; Louis Dreyfus Company International Holding BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee)
Key Skills and Experience:
Viktor Balli brings a wealth of financial and management experience, including his more than 10-year tenure as CFO for the Barry Callebaut Group, a global manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products with sales activities in more than 140 countries. In this period, he was co-steering the development of an industry leading CSR strategy. With his extensive know-how in the areas of reporting, auditing, and risk management, he possesses competencies that are becoming increasingly relevant for corporates’ non-financial disclosure and performance. In addition to his managerial experience in globally active companies, holding master’s degrees both in chemical engineering (ETH) and in economics (HSG), he brings with him extensive knowledge in two highly relevant areas for Sika’s strategic development.
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder
Board of Directors
Former Executive VP Polyolefins & Chief Technology Officer at Global Provider of Chemicals and Circular Polyolefin Solutions (Borealis Group)
Year of birth: 1967
Nationality: Belgian, Swiss
Member since: 2022
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Sustainability Committee
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder is considered to be independent.
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder
Board of Directors
Former Executive VP Polyolefins & Chief Technology Officer at Global Provider of Chemicals and Circular Polyolefin Solutions (Borealis Group)
Year of birth: 1967
Nationality: Belgian, Swiss
Member since: 2022
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Sustainability Committee
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder is considered to be independent.
Education
MSc Materials Engineering, University of Gent, Belgium; MSc Polymers & Composites Engineering, University of Leuven, Belgium; Executive Business Education Insead, Paris, France and IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland
Career
2019-2023: Executive Vice President Polyolefins & Chief Technology Officer, Borealis Group, Vienna, Austria
2014–2018: Vice President and General Manager Rubber Additives & Chief Commercial Officer, Eastman Chemical, Zug
1996–2014: various functions within Dow Chemical Group:
general / business (P&L) leadership, commercial, marketing & strategy leadership, M&A as well as research, product & application development across a broad range of industries spanning transportation, healthcare, food & nutrition, electronics, building & construction, oil & gas and water treatment, in Belgium, France, Switzerland, China, and the United States
1992–1996: Research, Product & Application development, Tyco, Kessel-Lo, Belgium and Menlo Park, USA
Mandates in listed companies:
Member of the Board: Royal Vopak, Rotterdam, Netherlands (member of Audit Committee and member of Remuneration Committee); Amcor plc, Bristol, United Kingdom
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Member of the Board: Borouge (a joint venture between Borealis and ADNOC), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Member of the Steering Board: Plastics Europe (industry association enabling a sustainable future), Brussels, Belgium
Key Skills and Experience:
Lucrèce Foufopoulos brings with her 25 years of experience in the chemicals and materials industry, serving global multinationals such as Tyco, the Dow Chemical Group, Eastman Chemical and the Borealis Group, across a broad range of downstream industries and markets. She possesses in-depth knowledge of global business leadership with P&L responsibility, strategic planning, M&A, marketing and sales excellence, as well as technology and innovation. She has a particular appetite for turning around business portfolios for sustainable growth, and is passionate about people and organization, science and innovation for the purpose of building a more sustainable environment. With her strong engagement, extensive know-how, and highly relevant insights and competencies, she is a key contributor to Sika’s continued strategic development in the areas of innovation and sustainability.
Justin Marshall Howell
Board of Directors
Broad Expertise in Global Investment Banking and Law
Year of birth: 1971
Nationality: Canadian, American
Member since: 2018
Chair of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Justin M. Howell is considered to be independent.
Justin Marshall Howell
Board of Directors
Broad Expertise in Global Investment Banking and Law
Year of birth: 1971
Nationality: Canadian, American
Member since: 2018
Chair of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Justin M. Howell is considered to be independent.
Education
LL.B and B.C.L, McGill University, Canada
Career
Since 2010: Senior Investment Manager, Cascade Asset Management Company, Kirkland, WA, USA
2007-2009: Vice President, Investment Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York, NY, USA
2003-2007: Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, NY, USA
Mandates in listed companies:
Member of the Board: Canadian National Railway Company, Montreal, Québec, Canada (member of Governance, Sustainability and Safety Committee, member of Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and Chair of Pension and Investment Committee)
Key Skills and Experience:
Justin Howell is a senior investment professional and experienced corporate director. He brings with him in-depth knowledge of international financial and capital markets, private and public equity, shareholder activism, corporate governance, and law. With his extensive international experience in corporate finance and M&A and with his wide network across industries, he significantly contributes to Sika’s continuous strategic development. With over 10 years of experience working for a large asset owner with a strong focus on sustainable, long-term investment, he possesses a broad expertise in the areas of sustainability, modern governance principles and strategy-aligned compensation models. Further this experience and know how makes him well-suited to chair the Nomination and Compensation Committee.
Gordana Landén
Board of Directors
Former Chief HR Officer at Global Human Resources Provider (Adecco Group)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Swedish
Member since: 2022
Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Gordana Landén is considered to be independent.
Gordana Landén
Board of Directors
Former Chief HR Officer at Global Human Resources Provider (Adecco Group)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Swedish
Member since: 2022
Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Gordana Landén is considered to be independent.
Education
BSc Human Resource Development and Labor Relations, University of Stockholm, Sweden
Career
2019–2024: Chief HR Officer, Adecco Group, Zurich
2015–2018: Chief HR Officer, Signify, Amsterdam/Eindhoven, Netherlands
2008–2015: Senior Vice President Group Function Human Resources, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Stockholm, Sweden
1991–2008: various functions within Ericsson:
Vice President HR & Organization, Business Unit Global Services, Sweden
Director HR & Organization, Market Unit Nordic & Baltics, Sweden
Regional HR Manager, Market Unit Nordic & Baltics, Sweden
Senior HR Manager, Swedish Business Unit, Market Operations Western Europe and North America & Customer Service, Sweden
Senior HR Consultant, USA
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Member of the Foundation Council: Adecco Innovation Foundation (creates practical solutions to increase the employability and access of underserved populations to labor markets), Zurich
Key Skills and Experience:
Gordana Landén brings broad international leadership experience from a number of global enterprises with a focus on human resources as well as people and leadership development. She possesses in-depth knowledge in aligning organizations and compensation systems with the business strategy as well as in creating inspiring work environments that allow people to grow and unlock their potential. Throughout her career she has been a driving force of equity, diversity, and inclusion agendas and has gained a wide experience in the deployment of big data analytics to support strategic human capital planning and development. Moreover, she has been actively involved in several M&A processes. Gordana Landén’s comprehensive skills in human capital management are highly relevant since it is key to safeguard and preserve Sika’s unique corporate culture as the company continues to grow.
Monika Ribar
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Global Transport and Logistics Company (Panalpina)
Year of birth: 1959
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2011
Chair of Audit Committee
Monika Ribar is considered to be independent.
Monika Ribar
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Global Transport and Logistics Company (Panalpina)
Year of birth: 1959
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2011
Chair of Audit Committee
Monika Ribar is considered to be independent.
Education
lic. oec. University of St. Gallen (HSG)
Career
2006–2013: CEO, Panalpina AG, Basel
2005–2006: CFO, Panalpina AG, Basel
2000–2005: Chief Information Officer (CIO), Panalpina AG, Basel
1991–2000: various functions within Controlling, IT and Global Project Management, Panalpina AG, Basel
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Chair of the Board: SBB AG (Swiss Federal Railways), Bern
Key Skills and Experience:
As a former CEO of the global transport and logistics company Panalpina, Monika Ribar brings with her a wide experience in business, operational and strategic leadership. In addition to her deep knowledge of international transportation and logistics, she possesses a broad expertise in financial management and IT. With her extensive experience as Board member in companies from various sectors and her management background as CEO, CFO, and CIO, she enhances the Board expertise and, in particular with her well-founded finance and risk management know-how, possesses the relevant skills to chair the Audit Committee.
Paul Schuler
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Sika
Year of birth: 1955
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2021
Due to his recent function as CEO of Sika AG, Paul Schuler is considered to be non-independent.
Paul Schuler
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Sika
Year of birth: 1955
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2021
Due to his recent function as CEO of Sika AG, Paul Schuler is considered to be non-independent.
Education
MBA, Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Washington/Zurich
Career
2017-2021: Chief Executive Officer, 2007-2021: Member of Group Management, Sika AG, Baar
2013-2017: Regional Manager EMEA Sika AG, Baar
2007-2012: Regional Manager North America; General Manager Sika USA
1988-2006: Various management functions within Sika in Germany and Switzerland
1982-1988: International Key Account Sales Manager Switzerland, EMS Chemie AG, Switzerland
1980-1982: Project Manager Air Condition Plants, Luwa AG, Hong Kong, China
1976-1980: Production Manager, Hemair AG, Switzerland
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Chair of the Board: Swisspearl Group AG, Switzerland
Key Skills and Experience:
With his extensive knowledge of the markets Sika operates in, as well as of its products, technologies, and its corporate culture, Paul Schuler contributes with highly relevant expertise to the Board. He has played a key role in developing and executing Sika's successful growth strategy and has a profound understanding of Sika’s values and global, empowered organization. After having held various management positions in the industry for more than 40 years, Paul brings with him a wealth of experience in international leadership, M&A, strategic management, and talent development.
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Multinational Paint and Coating Company (AkzoNobel)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Belgian
Member since: 2019
Chair of Sustainability Committee, Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker is considered to be independent.
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker
Board of Directors
Former CEO of Multinational Paint and Coating Company (AkzoNobel)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Belgian
Member since: 2019
Chair of Sustainability Committee, Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker is considered to be independent.
Education
MSc Chemical Engineer, University of Gent, Belgium
Career
2017 - 2022: CEO, AkzoNobel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2016-2017: Head Specialty Chemicals and Executive Committee Member, AkzoNobel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2015-2016: President Fluoroproducts, Chemours; President Chemours EMEA, Geneva, Switzerland, and Wilmington, USA
1989-2016: various functions within DuPont:
Vice President DuPont Performance Coatings EMEA, Cologne, Germany
Global Business & Marketing Director Fluorochemicals, DuPont, Wilmington, USA
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
Chair of the Board: Aliaxis Group NV, Brussels, Belgium
Member of the Board: Etex NV, Brussels, Belgium
Board Advisor: Stahl Coatings BV, Waalwijk, Netherlands
Key Skills and Experience:
Having held various management positions in the chemical sector for more than 30 years, Thierry Vanlancker brings with him extensive global and industrial experience. He possesses in-depth knowledge of strategy, M&A, product development, sales, and marketing with specific know-how in chemicals markets and distribution. He held the position as CEO of AkzoNobel, a large international paints and coatings company active in more than 150 countries, recognized for its leading ESG performance in all relevant benchmarks. He contributes with strong expertise about the management of large international companies, management of differentiated channels to market as well as in-depth experience of ESG-strategy implementation. Being extensively involved in current developments within the area of ESG, makes him highly suitable to chair the Sustainability Committee.