BASF Coatings Names Executive Committee Ahead of July 1 Transition
BASF Coatings has named the executive committee that will lead the business when it begins operating as a standalone company on July 1, 2026.
Jens Luehring will serve as chief executive officer. The executive committee will also include Michael Pontzen, chief financial officer; Ewout van Jarwaarde, chief transformation officer; Frank Naber, executive vice president of Surface Treatment; Patrick Zhao, executive vice president of Mobility Coatings; Steve Arndt, executive vice president of Refinish Coatings; and Dr. Nils Lessmann, executive vice president of Operations Mobility/Refinish.
The committee will be responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and overseeing business performance across its automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment operations.
BASF Coatings also named David Johnston chief digital and information officer. Johnston will be part of the broader executive leadership team supporting corporate functions including digital and information, procurement, human resources, safety, sustainability and innovation, legal and communications.
The leadership appointments follow BASF’s planned transaction with funds managed by Carlyle, in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority. The transaction covers BASF’s automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment businesses. BASF has said it will retain a 40% equity stake in the standalone company.
BASF Coatings reported global sales of approximately €3.7 billion in 2025. Its businesses serve automotive OEM, refinish and industrial customers worldwide, including through its Chemetall surface-treatment brand.
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