Brenntag Names New CEOs to Lead North America and EMEA Units

Brenntag has named Markus Klähn as the new CEO of North America Brenntag and Karsten Beckmann as the new CEO of Brenntag Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Klähn succeeds William Fidler, a member of the management board of Brenntag AG who is responsible for the regions North America and Latin America. Klähn, who had been president COO of Brenntag North America, will continue to report to William Fidler. 

Beckmann succeeds Harry van Baarlen who is retiring as CEO of Brenntag Europe after 18 years with the company. Beckmann, most recently COO of Brenntag Europe, will report to Steven Holland, CEO Brenntag Group.

Beckmann started his career in the chemical industry. Following different functions in the corporate head office of Stinnes AG, Brenntag’s former parent company, he joined Brenntag in 2002 as managing director of Brenntag Italy. He became regional manager Southern Europe in 2009. In 2011, he was appointed COO of Brenntag Europe and Africa.

Klähn joined Brenntag in 1994. After various positions at corporate headquarters of Brenntag Group he became CFO of Brenntag Latin America Inc. in 2004. In 2007 he became president of Brenntag Northeast, Inc. and overtook operational responsibility for Brenntag North America in 2011 as COO. In February 2013 he was appointed president of Brenntag North America Inc.

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