Heike Prinz has been unanimously named to Bayer AG’s Board of Management, effective September 1, 2023, by the company’s Supervisory Board. She will take on the roles of Chief Talent Officer and Labour Director for the organisation. This comes after Board member Sarena Lin and Bayer’s Supervisory Board agreed not to extend her employment past January 31, 2024.
Heike Prinz (58), a member of the Pharmaceuticals Executive Committee and most recently Head of Commercial Operations Europe, Middle East & Africa for Bayer’s Pharmaceutical Division, has worked for the company for nearly 37 years.
Heike Prinz joined Schering AG, which Bayer bought in 2006, in November 1986 and has held increasingly responsible positions in Sales, Marketing, Chief of Staff, and General Management, among others.
Heike Prinz graduated from the Berlin School of Economics and Law with a master’s degree in business administration. She has extensive expertise directing huge organisations at several levels and in various cultural situations.
She has a proven track record of launching innovative products, turning around businesses, creating sustainable development, and transforming cultures. Heike Prinz is married and has lived and worked in Singapore, Thailand, and Japan, in addition to her native Germany. She will be stationed in Leverkusen, Germany, in her new position.
“We are very pleased to have Heike Prinz join Bayer’s Board of Management. Her breadth and depth of experience, and outstanding track record of developing and growing businesses through her leadership of large, global teams around the world, make her an ideal candidate for her new assignment,” said Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG. “Heike is a role model in people development and a true champion for diversity, equity and inclusion.
She will bring a strong business focus to the further development of our talent strategy at Bayer and to her role as Labor Director.”
“At the same time, we would like to sincerely thank Sarena Lin for her dedication, valuable input and the successful initiatives undertaken under her leadership – all of which helped to lay the foundation for Bayer and its people to unlock the full potential of the company in this new chapter,” said Winkeljohann. “During her tenure, Sarena has shaped and advanced leadership capabilities within the organization, inspiring trust, loyalty and strong performance from employees at all levels while also championing diversity, equity and inclusion. We wish her all the very best for the future.”
Heike Hausfeld, Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of the Bayer Central Works Council, said: “On behalf of the employee representatives, I’d like to welcome Heike Prinz to the Board of Management and as Labor Director. I’m confident that her long and successful tenure at Bayer, as well as her experience with the German labor force, will serve her well in her new role. I look forward to continuing to foster an open and trustful dialogue as part of the ongoing social partnership that we have built over many years at Bayer. At the same time, I would like to thank Sarena Lin for the constructive cooperation and her open ear to the concerns of the workforce. I really appreciated the exchange with Sarena over the past years and wish her all the best for the future.”
Sarena Lin has served as member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG since February 1, 2021. She will leave the company effective August 31, 2023.
About Bayer:
Bayer is a multinational corporation with primary capabilities in the life sciences of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are intended to help people and the earth thrive by assisting efforts to address the major issues posed by the world’s rising and ageing population. Bayer is dedicated to achieving sustainable development and making a positive impact through its operations.
Simultaneously, the Group intends to boost its earning potential and create value through innovation and growth. Throughout the world, the Bayer brand represents trust, dependability, and quality.
