Siegwerk, one of the world’s leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, is expanding its existing management team. In a strategic move to reflect its global presence even stronger and adapt to the changing dynamics of the global ink and coatings industry, the company will establish a group executive committee.

Effective 1 January 2024, the group executive committee will develop, implement, and oversee key decisions and strategies for the company. In addition to the current members of the Board of Management – Dr. Nicolas Wiedmann, chief executive officer; Dr. Jan Breitkopf, president EMEA; Ralf Hildenbrand, president Americas and Dr. Oliver Wittmann, chief financial officer; and Ashish Pradhan, president Asia, will also be part of the newly-formed committee.

Shaping the company’s future across all regions

With an even stronger Asian representation in the management team, Siegwerk will be able to effectively respond to the evolving needs of an ever-expanding international business. The inclusion of Pradhan in the group executive committee underlines, once again, the significance of the Asian region in Siegwerk’s global strategy. With its immense growth potential, Asia plays an active role in shaping the company’s future with the other two major regions, EMEA and the Americas. The new management structure will help Siegwerk to drive innovation strategies even more efficiently, manage products flexibly across locations and continue to pursue its strategic goal of being a leading provider of circular and digital packaging solutions.

Dr. Oliver Wittmann hands over CFO role to Dirk Weissenfeldt

In 2024, the newly formed group executive committee will have another leadership change. After over 20 years, Dr. Oliver Wittmann will leave the Board and his position as chief financial officer (CFO) on 30 April 2024. Through the end of 2025, he will remain available to advise the Supervisory Board upon request.

Wittmann has held an integral role in shaping the direction of Siegwerk for more than two decades as CFO. “With his profound financial expertise and his extraordinary dedication, Oliver has made a lasting contribution to the company’s success over more than 20 years while always acting true to our motto Ink, Heart & Soul,” said Dr. Nicolas Wiedmann, chief executive officer at Siegwerk.

Wittmann will be succeeded by Dirk Weissenfeldt, vice president flexible packaging EMEA at Siegwerk who has held different financial and operational positions at the company over the past 17 years. He will take over the CFO role on 1 May 2024.

Well-positioned to drive innovation in the packaging industry

The new group executive committee will further provide continuity and stability while driving Siegwerk forward with the greatest sense of responsibility. Therefore, it is important to the company and its stakeholders to announce these changes at an early stage.

“Siegwerk will continue to be very well positioned for the future with its new management structure. Thanks to an impressive level of know-how, experience, and dedication, we are ready to further expand our business and drive innovation in the packaging industry,” said Wiedmann.

Ashish Pradhan

Ashish Pradhan joined Siegwerk in 2015. With Siegwerk, he held the positions of chief operating officer and chief executive officer of Siegwerk India as well as president India and Greater China. At the beginning of 2021, he was appointed president Asia. In this role, he is responsible for the business in India, Greater China, and Southeast Asia.

Before joining Siegwerk, he worked in different capacities within the global packaging industry for companies including International Paper, Henkel, Positive Packaging, and Huhtamaki. Pradhan has a degree in mechanical engineering and post-graduate qualifications in management.

Dr. Oliver Wittmann

Dr. Oliver Wittmann is chief financial officer of the Siegwerk Group since 2001. In addition to Finance, Controlling, Tax and Treasury, he is also responsible for Global Information Technology and Legal Affairs and Compliance.

Before joining Siegwerk, Wittmann held various positions at a global technical service provider and at a trust company as an investment manager. Wittmann began his career working for a management consultancy after studying business administration and gaining his doctorate degree.

Dirk Weissenfeldt

Dirk Weissenfeldt joined Siegwerk in 2006. He has held a variety of positions within the company, including regional chief financial officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa and vice president for the Business Unit Paper and Board in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. In 2017, he became vice president for the Business Unit Flexible Packaging in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Before joining Siegwerk, Weissenfeldt worked in management consultancies, including Deloitte. He has a degree in business administration.