The Board of Directors consists of nine members. They are Sika's highest governing body and bring with them a vast array of experience, skills, and expertise that are in line with our strategic goals.
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker
Chair of the Board of Directors
Former CEO of multinational paint and coating Company (AkzoNobel)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Belgian
Member since: 2019
Chair of the Board since: 2024
Thierry F. J. Vanlancker is considered to be independent.
Education
- MSc Chemical Engineer, University of Ghent, Belgium
Career
- 2017 - 2022: CEO, AkzoNobel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2016-2017: Head Specialty Chemicals and Executive Committee Member, AkzoNobel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2015-2016: President Fluoroproducts, Chemours; President Chemours EMEA, Geneva, Switzerland, and Wilmington, USA
- 1989-2016: Various functions within DuPont:
Vice President DuPont Performance Coatings EMEA, Cologne, Germany; Global Business & Marketing Director Fluorochemicals, DuPont, Wilmington, USA
Mandates in listed companies:
- Member of the Board: Cabot Corporation, Boston, USA (Member of the Audit Committee)
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
- Managing Director: Aliaxis Group NV, Brussels, Belgium
Key skills and experience:
Having held various management positions in the chemical sector for more than 30 years, Thierry Vanlancker brings with him extensive global and industrial experience. He possesses in-depth knowledge of strategy, M&A, product development, sales, and marketing with specific know-how in chemicals markets and distribution. He held the position as CEO of AkzoNobel, a large international paints and coatings company active in more than 150 countries, recognized for its leading ESG performance in all relevant benchmarks. He contributes with strong expertise about the management of large international companies, management of differentiated channels to market as well as in-depth experience of sustainability strategy implementation.
Thomas Aebischer
Board of Directors
Former CFO of multinational companies in the chemical and construction sectors
Year of birth: 1961
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2024
Chair of Audit Committee
Thomas Aebischer is considered to be independent.
Education
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), School for Swiss Certified Accountants, Switzerland
Career
- March 2025–now: CEO, Diethelm Keller Group, Switzerland
- June 2023-December 2023: Interim CFO, Master Builders Solutions, Germany
- 2021-2022: CFO, RWDC Industries, USA
- 2016-2019: Executive Vice President and CFO, LyondellBasell Industries, USA and the Netherlands
- 1996-2015: Various functions within Holcim:
Group CFO and Member of Executive Committee, LafargeHolcim; CFO and Senior Vice President, Holcim Inc., USA; CFO and Senior Vice President, Holcim Apasco, Mexico; Head Corporate Controlling, Holcim Group Support Ltd., Switzerland - 1988-1996: Audit Senior Manager, PwC, Switzerland and Hongkong
- 1983-1987: Tax Specialist, Cantonal tax authorities, Switzerland
Mandates in listed companies and organizations:
Member of the Board: Solvay SA, Brussels, Belgium (Chair of the Audit Committee); dormakaba Holding AG, Rümlang, Switzerland (Chair of the Audit Committee)
Key skills and experience:
Thomas Aebischer brings more than 30 years of international experience in the chemical and construction industries. His career has taken him to the USA, Mexico, and Asia where he has been active in industries with market structures and technologies relevant for Sika. With his profound knowledge in the fields of strategy, business development, and M&A he makes a valuable contribution to the continued strategic development of Sika. Having spent many years as CFO of several multinational companies, he possesses proven financial and risk management skills which makes him highly suitable to chair the Audit Committee.
Viktor Waldemar Balli
Board of Directors
Former CFO of global manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products (Barry Callebaut)
Year of birth: 1957
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2019
Member of Audit Committee, Member of Sustainability Committee
Viktor W. Balli is considered to be independent.
Education
- MSc Chemical Engineer, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich
- M.A. Economics, University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland
Career
- 2007-2018: CFO Barry Callebaut Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1996-2006: Director of Niantic Group (Family Holding), Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 1991-1995: Principal, Adinvest AG, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1989-1991: Head Corporate Finance, Marc Rich & Co Holding AG, Zug, Switzerland
- 1985-1989: Financial Analyst and Manager, EniChem International AG, Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy
Mandates in listed companies:
- Member of the Board: Givaudan AG, Vernier, Switzerland (Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee); Medacta International SA, Castel San Pietro, Switzerland (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee); KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Einbeck, Germany (Chair of the Audit Committee)
Mandates in non-listed companies and organizations:
- Member of the Board: Swiss Federal Audit Oversight Authority (RAB), Berne, Switzerland; Hemro AG, Zurich, Switzerland; Louis Dreyfus Company International Holding BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee)
Key skills and experience:
Viktor Balli brings a wealth of financial and management experience, including his more than 10-year tenure as CFO for the Barry Callebaut Group, a global manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products with sales activities in more than 140 countries. In this period, he was co-steering the development of an industry leading CSR strategy. With his extensive know-how in the areas of reporting, auditing, and risk management, he possesses competencies that are becoming increasingly relevant for corporates’ non-financial disclosure and performance. In addition to his managerial experience in globally active companies, holding master’s degrees both in chemical engineering (ETH) and in economics (HSG), he brings with him extensive knowledge in two highly relevant areas for Sika’s strategic development.
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder
Board of Directors
Former Executive VP Polyolefins & Chief Technology Officer at global provider of chemicals and circular polyolefin solutions (Borealis Group)
Year of birth: 1967
Nationality: Belgian, Swiss
Member since: 2022
Chair of Sustainability Committee
Lucrèce Foufopoulos-De Ridder is considered to be independent.
Education
- MSc Materials Engineering, University of Gent, Belgium;
- MSc Polymers & Composites Engineering, University of Leuven, Belgium
Career
- 2019-2023: Executive Vice President Polyolefins & Chief Technology Officer, Borealis Group, Vienna, Austria
- 2014–2018: Vice President and General Manager Rubber Additives & Chief Commercial Officer, Eastman Chemical, Zug, Switzerland
- 1996–2014: Various functions within Dow Chemical Group (incl. Rohm and Haas and Dow Corning): General / business (P&L) leadership, commercial, marketing & strategy leadership, M&A as well as research, product & application development across a broad range of industries spanning transportation, healthcare, food & nutrition, electronics, building & construction, oil & gas and water treatment, in Belgium, France, Switzerland, China, and the United States
- 1992–1996: Research, Product & Application Development, Tyco, Kessel-Lo, Belgium and Menlo Park, USA
Mandates in listed companies:
- Member of the Board: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (member of the Board Investment Committee and member of Sustainability, Risk, and EHSS Committee); Amcor, Zurich, Switzerland (member of the Compensation Committee); Tronox Holdings plc, Connecticut, USA (member of the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee); Quaker Houghton, Conshohocken, USA (member of the Compensation and HR Committee and member of the Sustainability Committee)
Key skills and experience:
Lucrèce Foufopoulos brings with her 25 years of experience in the chemicals and materials industry, serving global multinationals such as Tyco, the Dow Chemical Group, Eastman Chemical and the Borealis Group, across a broad range of downstream industries and markets. She possesses in-depth knowledge of global business leadership with P&L responsibility, strategic planning, M&A, marketing and sales excellence, as well as technology and innovation. She has a particular appetite for turning around business portfolios for sustainable growth, and is passionate about people and organization, science and innovation for the purpose of building a more sustainable environment. With her strong engagement, extensive know-how, and highly relevant insights and competencies, she is a key contributor to Sika’s continued strategic development in the areas of innovation and sustainability and well-suited to chair the Sustainability Committee.
Barbara Frei
Board of Directors
Former Executive Vice President Industrial Automation and member of the Executive Committee of Schneider Electric
Year of birth: 1970
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2026
Member of Sustainability Committee
Barbara Frei is considered to be independent.
Education
- PhD, ETH Zurich, Zurich
- MBA, IMD Business School, Lausanne
Career
- 2016 – 2026: Various functions within Schneider Electric: Executive Vice President Industrial Automation and Member of the Executive Committee, Switzerland; Executive Vice President Europe Operations and Member of the Executive Committee, Germany; Zone President DACH, Germany; Zone President Germany, Germany
- 2008 – 2016: Various functions within ABB: Head of PMO Strategic Portfolio Review Power Grids, Switzerland; Group Senior Vice President, Head of Business Unit Drives and Control, Finland; President, Italy; President, Czechia
Key skills and experience:
Barbara Frei is an internationally experienced leader with proven expertise in industry, technology, digitalization, and sustainability. She has led large, complex organizations and oversaw major transformation processes within global industrial corporations. Throughout her career, she has been deeply involved in initiatives to enhance production and resource efficiency, foster innovation, and advance circularity, with a particular emphasis on plastic recycling. Leveraging her extensive expertise, strategic leadership, and wide ranging international experience, Barbara Frei makes a significant contribution to Sika’s strategic advancement in digitalization, operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
Lukas Gähwiler
Board of Directors
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS Group and UBS AG
Year of birth: 1965
Nationality: Swiss
Member since: 2026
Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Lukas Gähwiler is considered to be independent.
Education
- MBA, International Bankers School, New York
- BSc, Business Administration, University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland
Career
- 2022 – 2026: Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS Group
- 2023 – 2024: Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse AG
- 2017 – 2022: Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS Switzerland AG
- 2010 – 2016: Group Executive Board member of UBS Group AG and CEO UBS Switzerland
- 2003 – 2010: Chief Credit Officer, Global Private and Corporate Banking, Credit Suisse
- 2002 – 2003: Head Credit Risk Management, Corporate Clients Switzerland, Credit Suisse
- 1998 – 2001: Chief of Staff to CEO, Private and Corporate Clients, Credit Suisse
- 1990 – 1998: Various senior front office roles in Corporate Clients in Switzerland and North America, Credit Suisse
- 1981 – 1986: Apprenticeship and Client Advisor Retail and Private Banking, St. Galler Kantonalbank
Mandates in listed companies and organizations:
- Member of the Board: UBS Group AG, Zurich, Switzerland (Vice Chairman of the Board); Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Stans, Switzerland (Vice Chairman of the Board); Ringier AG, Zofingen, Switzerland
Key skills and experience:
Lukas Gähwiler is a highly respected banking leader with decades of senior executive and board-level experience in global organizations, complemented by an exceptional institutional and political network. His career reflects deep expertise across retail, private, corporate, and investment banking, with a strong focus on client relationship and risk management. With his extensive experience in international capital markets, he has developed deep insights into a wide range of industries as well as diverse corporate strategies and cultures. His strong background in corporate finance, global leadership, and his broad cross-industry network equips him to contribute meaningfully to Sika’s long-term strategic development.
Justin Marshall Howell
Board of Directors
Broad expertise in global investment banking and law
Year of birth: 1971
Nationality: Canadian, American
Member since: 2018
Chair of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Justin M. Howell is considered to be independent.
Education
- LL.B and B.C.L, McGill University, Canada
Career
- 2010-2025: Senior Investment Manager, Cascade Asset Management Company, Kirkland, WA, USA
- 2007-2009: Vice President, Investment Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York, NY, USA
- 2003-2007: Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, NY, USA
Mandates in listed companies:
- Member of the Board: Canadian National Railway Company, Montreal, Québec, Canada (Member of the Governance and Sustainability Committee, Member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee)
Key skills and experience:
Justin Howell is a senior investment professional and experienced corporate director. He brings with him in-depth knowledge of international financial and capital markets, private and public equity, shareholder activism, corporate governance, and law. With his extensive international experience in corporate finance and M&A and with his wide network across industries, he significantly contributes to Sika’s continuous strategic development. With over 10 years of experience working for a large asset owner with a strong focus on sustainable, long-term investment, he possesses a broad expertise in the areas of sustainability, modern governance principles and strategy-aligned compensation models. Further this experience and know how makes him well-suited to chair the Nomination and Compensation Committee.
Gordana Landén
Board of Directors
Former Chief HR Officer at global human resources provider (Adecco Group)
Year of birth: 1964
Nationality: Swedish
Member since: 2022
Member of Nomination and Compensation Committee
Gordana Landén is considered to be independent.
Education
- BSc Human Resource Development and Labor Relations, University of Stockholm, Sweden
Career
- 2019–2024: Chief HR Officer, Adecco Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2015–2018: Chief HR Officer, Signify, former Phillips Lightning, Amsterdam/Eindhoven, Netherlands
- 2008–2015: Senior Vice President Group Function Human Resources, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1992–2008: Various functions within Ericsson:
Vice President HR & Organization, Business Unit Global Services, Sweden; Director HR & Organization, Market Unit Nordic & Baltics, Sweden; Regional HR Manager, Market Unit Nordic & Baltics, Sweden; Senior HR Manager, Swedish Business Unit, Market Operations Western Europe and North America & Customer Service, Sweden; Senior HR Consultant, USA
Key skills and experience:
Gordana Landén brings broad international leadership experience from a number of global enterprises with a focus on human resources as well as people and leadership development. She possesses in-depth knowledge in aligning organizations and compensation systems with the business strategy as well as in creating inspiring work environments that allow people to grow and unlock their potential. Throughout her career she has been a driving force of equity, diversity, and inclusion agendas and has gained a wide experience in the deployment of big data analytics to support strategic human capital planning and development. Moreover, she has been actively involved in several M&A processes. Gordana Landén’s comprehensive skills in human capital management are highly relevant since it is key to safeguard and preserve Sika’s unique corporate culture as the company continues to grow.
Frankie Ng
Board of Directors
Former CEO of a global testing, inspection, and certification services company (SGS)
Year of birth: 1966
Nationality: Swiss, Chinese
Member since: 2025
Member of Audit Committee
Frankie Ng is considered to be independent.
Education
- BA, Economics and Econometrics, University of Essex, Great Britain
Career
- 1994-2024: Various functions within SGS:
CEO and Operations Council Member, Switzerland; Executive Vice President of Industrial Services, Switzerland; Executive Vice President of Consumer Testing Services, Switzerland; Managing Director of US Consumer Testing Services, USA; Operations Manager, Consumer Testing Services, China; Consumer Product Division Manager, SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services, China; Management Trainee, Switzerland - 1987-1989: Quality Assurance Engineer, Sodeco S.A., Geneva, Switzerland
Mandates in listed companies:
Member of the Board: Logitech International, Lausanne, Switzerland (Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee, member of the Compensation Committee)
Key skills and experience:
As the former CEO of SGS, a Swiss-listed, global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, Kwok Wang (Frankie) Ng brings extensive experience in managing a large, global organization with operations in 115 countries and close to 100,000 employees. During his 30-year tenure with SGS, he has held various senior management positions in China, Switzerland, and the United States, gaining experience in both consumer and industrial goods sectors. With his background as a leader of a global company with a decentralized profile similar to Sika's, coupled with profound knowledge of Asia and a broad geographical experience, Frankie Ng makes a valuable contribution to the development of Sika’s growth strategy, while at the same time safeguarding the culture of empowerment.