From the Sector

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG resolved on several matters regarding the Executive and Supervisory Board that ensure leadership continuity and underpin the company’s successful trajectory of strong and profitable growth.

Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has extended Bjørn Gulden’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2030. Bjørn Gulden has been a member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of adidas AG since January 1, 2023.

“With his long-standing experience, his deep understanding of our industry, his strong leadership, and his clear focus on quality growth, Bjørn Gulden drove the successful turnaround of adidas during the past three years”, says Thomas Rabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Under his leadership, adidas has made tremendous operational and financial progress in a challenging environment, laying a strong foundation for further sustainable top- and bottom-line growth in the future. The extension of his contract is a clear commitment to continuity, stability, and a continued trustful collaboration between the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. We are convinced that, together with his Executive Board team, Bjørn Gulden will continue to make adidas successful in the long run.”

Moreover, the Supervisory Board of adidas AG has also extended the appointment of Michelle Robertson, responsible for Global Human Resources, People and Culture, until December 31, 2031.

“I am delighted to announce that we have also extended Michelle Robertson’s appointment. During the past two years, she has successfully driven the development and direction of the global HR organization and our corporate culture. She accelerated key initiatives in the areas of people & culture, talent development, and modern working environments, thus further improving the company’s performance and adidas’ position as an attractive employer brand“, says Thomas Rabe.

Supervisory Board
In view of the Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2026, the Supervisory Board of adidas AG has furthermore agreed to propose the re-election of Nassef Sawiris to the Supervisory Board for a further three-year term of office. Following the Annual General Meeting, the Supervisory Board intends to elect Nassef Sawiris as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He is to succeed Thomas Rabe as Chairman, whose term of office will end as planned at the close of the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Nassef Sawiris (65) has been a member of the Supervisory Board since June 2016, and has been Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2025.

“With Nassef Sawiris, the Supervisory Board will win an experienced entrepreneur and investor as Supervisory Board Chairman. Nassef has already accompanied adidas for many years as a Supervisory Board member and has contributed significantly to the strategic development of the company. His significant shareholding in adidas through NNS underscores his strong and long-term commitment to the company and alignment with shareholder interests. In addition, his international perspective and entrepreneurial vision will strengthen adidas further in a dynamic market environment. As Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Nassef Sawiris will be a driving force in the continued successful collaboration with the Executive Board and will represent the interests of our shareholders in a responsible manner. I would like to wish him and the entire Supervisory Board every success for the future”, says Thomas Rabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of adidas AG.

Thomas Rabe (60) has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2019 and Chairman since August 2020. Thomas Rabe’s term as Chairman was a period of change and stabilization, marking a strategic restart for adidas AG.

Nassef Sawiris says: “I am delighted about my nomination for the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of adidas AG. In a time when there are still huge opportunities for our company in a very attractive industry, it is particularly important to me to take an active part in shaping the future of adidas together with my Supervisory Board colleagues and the Executive Board. I greatly appreciate the achievements of Bjørn and his team so far, and I am looking forward to continuing our close collaboration as we jointly guide adidas into its next chapter. Already today, I would like to thank Thomas Rabe on behalf of all Supervisory Board members for his long-standing leadership, the trustful collaboration, and his achievements for the company.”

Besides Nassef Sawiris, the Supervisory Board will also propose to the Annual General Meeting in May 2026 that Ian Gallienne (55), Chairman of the Board of Directors, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, be re-elected for a term of three years.

As a new member of the Supervisory Board, Mathias Döpfner, Chief Executive Officer of Axel Springer SE, will be proposed for election to the shareholders. Mathias Döpfner (63) has been Chief Executive Officer of Axel Springer SE since 2002, transforming the company from a traditional publishing house into a digital media group during this time. Thomas Rabe says: “Mathias Döpfner will complement the Supervisory Board perfectly with his strong executive leadership experience and his deep expertise in brand building, digital transformation, and corporate governance. He brings valuable strategic insight into global markets, consumer engagement, and commercial growth, making him a highly qualified candidate for our Supervisory Board.”

The Annual General Meeting of adidas AG will take place in the Stadthalle Fürth, Germany, on May 7, 2026.

DyStar, a leading specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, announced the appointment of Ruan Cunfan to its Board of Directors, effective 20 February 2026. His appointment and the conclusion of Yao Jianfang’s tenure mark a seamless transition, reinforcing stability while opening doors to new opportunities.

Ruan Cunfan graduated from Claremont McKenna College in the United States, holding dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics & Accounting and Chemistry. He currently serves as a Director and Assistant to the Chairman of Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co., Ltd., and as Assistant to Chairman of Longsheng Group Holdings (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. He brings extensive experiences, having built a distinguished career overseeing its Group real estate investment strategy, operations, and management. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening governance and driving long-term strategic growth globally. At the same time, Yao Jianfang will be stepping down from the Board. 

“The appointment of Ruan Cunfan marks an important step in strengthening our Board for the future,” said Ruan WeiXiang, Chairman, Board of Directors, DyStar Group. “His visionary expertise and innovative leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance DyStar’s internationalization process. This transition reflects our commitment to leadership continuity, while also embracing new opportunities aligned with our long-term vision for responsible and resilient development.” 

“We are delighted to welcome Ruan Cunfan to the Board at this pivotal moment in the Group’s journey,” said Xu Yalin, Managing Director, President and CEO of DyStar Group. “His fresh perspective and outstanding innovative capabilities will help us further expand our impact, while embedding sustainability deeply into every facet of our strategy. At the same time, we pay tribute to Yao Jianfang, thanking him for his past contributions to the Board, and we look forward to his continued insights and guidance at the shareholder level in support of DyStar’s growth.”

DyStar Group remains committed as it embarks on its next phase of growth. The Group looks forward to building stronger partnerships, advancing sustainability initiatives, and delivering enhanced value across its global operations.

Luxembourg-based OCSiAl, the global leader in industrial synthesis of graphene nanotubes, announces the appointment of Antigone Loudiadis as a director.
 
An investment entity owned by Ms. Loudiadis made a substantial investment in OCSiAl at the end of 2025. This investment followed an investment earlier that year by a Luxembourg “club” of investors.
 
Ms. Loudiadis founded and led Rothesay Life, one of the UK’s leading pension insurers. Prior to the establishment of Rothesay Life, Ms. Loudiadis was a partner at Goldman Sachs International and cohead of its European Investment Banking Division. Over the course of her 30-year career as a senior financial executive, she led complex structured and M&A transactions and managed senior relationships with governments and multinational institutions.
 
“I am very excited to be joining OCSiAl,” said Ms. Loudiadis. “It’s cutting-edge deep tech that takes established industries—like tires and coatings—to a new level. But it also goes hand in hand with the next step in the development of EVs, data centers, AI, robotics and aerospace.”
 
“I am delighted to have Addy on the board. She brings a rare combination of deep capital markets expertise and firsthand experience in building and governing large, capital-intensive businesses,” said Peter Cuneo, Chairman of the OCSiAl Board. “As OCSiAl accelerates its industrial scale-up and prepares for significantly larger long-term investments, her perspective will be invaluable in shaping our capital strategy, strengthening governance, and engaging with a broader base of global investors.”
 
As advanced materials increasingly take on strategic importance alongside energy and capital, OCSiAl’s current phase of industrial scale-up places the company at the center of this shift.