IMCD strengthens global leadership with new MD appointments in Switzerland, Central America
These appointments reflect IMCD’s commitment to placing experienced leadership at the helm of key territories to foster growth, enhance technical expertise, and streamline corporate governance within the global supply chain.
SWITZERLAND/USA – IMCD Group, a global leading partner for the distribution and formulation of specialty chemicals and ingredients, has appointed Hedwig Koopmans as Managing Director of IMCD Switzerland, effective April 1st, 2026, and Santiago Beltran as Managing Director of IMCD Central America, effective 1 July 2026.
Hedwig brings extensive experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. She joined IMCD in 2020 as Global Product Manager for Pharmaceuticals, and she currently leads the business unit Pharmaceuticals in Germany.
Her ability to build partnerships, accelerate commercial performance, and navigate complex markets has made her a standout leader within our organization.
Her focus in the Swiss market will involve strengthening relationships with both suppliers and customers, particularly in the highly specialized sectors of life sciences and industrial performance
Christoph Garbotz, Managing Director, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Southeast Europe, commented, “Hedwig Koopmans combines deep pharmaceutical expertise with strong commercial leadership. She has consistently delivered growth, built solid partnerships and taken on broader responsibilities in demanding markets.”
Santiago Beltran joined IMCD in 2024 as Business Group Director Food & Nutrition for Colombia. Later that year he took on responsibility for the wider Latin America region.
He brings over 15 years of experience in the food and nutrition sector, including leadership roles at dsm-firmenich and Joli Foods.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from ICESI University in Colombia and a master’s degree in management from HEC Montreal in Canada.
Nicolas Kaufmann, President Latin America, commented, “Santiago Beltran has shown strong leadership across Latin America, combining technical depth with a hands‑on approach that connects well with our teams and principals. His focus on practical growth and collaboration makes him the right person to lead our business in Central America.”
The appointment of a dedicated Managing Director for Central America reflects IMCD’s continued investment in the region, which began in earnest in 2021.
The appointment of Santiago Beltran as Managing Director signals the company’s intent to consolidate and grow that footprint under dedicated regional leadership.
The twin appointments reflect a broader pattern of leadership investment across the company’s global network as it pursues continued growth in specialty chemicals distribution.
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