Rajiv Sharma assumes the role of Archroma CEO as Mark Garrett transitions to the Board of Directors
Pratteln, Switzerland, September 30, 2024 – With effect from October 1, 2024, Rajiv Sharma will take over as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions. Sharma will hold primary responsibility for the Textile Effects division. Mark Garrett, the Group’s current CEO, will join the Archroma Board of Directors.
“We would like to thank Mark for his strategic leadership throughout a period of transformation and for enhancing the company’s growth trajectory,” stated Miguel Kohlmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Archroma. Mark joins us in welcome Rajiv Sharma to the Board and contributes a wealth of knowledge and experience. We have an exciting global leader in Rajiv who has a track record of achieving long-term success.
“It has been an honor to lead Archroma at such an exciting time, as the company has delivered substantial growth in sales and profitability and successfully integrated the Huntsman Textile Effects business. We have become the clear market leader, with the most comprehensive set of solutions to support our customers in helping reshape our industry for a more sustainable future,” Mr. Garrett said. “Rajiv is a proven visionary with a track record of generating global growth through sustainability, innovation and sound financial management. He is the ideal leader for a forward-looking company with roots that go back more than two-and-a-half centuries.”
Rajiv Sharma joins Archroma after a 14-year career with Coats Group plc (LSE: COA.L), the last eight of which he spent as Group Chief Executive. In his capacity as CEO of the UK-listed business, which leads the globe in the production of thread and structural components for clothing and footwear, Mr. Sharma established a foundation for profitable expansion and molded an innovative, customer-focused, digitally-driven, and environmentally conscious corporate culture.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have this chance to steer this exciting company during a critical period of change,” Mr. Sharma remarked. “We have a fantastic chance to help the textile and clothing industries embark on a sustainable journey that will change people’s lives everywhere and redefine what’s possible.”
Barry Siadat, Archroma Board member and co-Founder of SK Capital Partners, said: “Rajiv brings an ideal set of experience which will support Archroma as it continues to play a key role as the global leader in color and specialty textile chemicals with the industry’s broadest product portfolio and expertise in manufacturing, research and technology, operations and technical customer support that spans the globe. In addition to welcoming Rajiv, we wholeheartedly thank Mark Garrett for the instrumental role he played in serving the company by executing Archroma’s successful acquisition and integration of Huntsman Textile Effects and for delivering substantial growth for Archroma.”
In parallel with these leadership changes, Archroma’s Packaging Technologies business will be established as a focused business activity from October 1, 2024, with the aim of increasing its focus on the packaging business and accelerating its development. It will continue under the proven leadership of its CEO, Sameer Singla, who will report directly to the Archroma Board of Directors. Packaging Technologies has also delivered substantial growth with more dedicated leadership over the past two years and the organizational changes will help both Textile Effects and Packaging Technologies continue to focus on best serving their respective customers and markets.
