Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Appoints Axel Löber as Head of Global Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Sabia Schwarzer has taken the decision to leave Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to be closer to her family in the United States

Darmstadt, Germany, September 12, 2023 – Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced that Axel Löber will take over as Head of Global Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, as of November 1, 2023. He will report to Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany. Axel Löber is not new to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, as he spent eight years with the organization prior to his most recent role at E.ON, a leading European energy company.

As the Senior Vice President of Global Brand & Marketing for E.ON, his responsibilities included the international marketing activities, market research and the customer experience strategy. Axel Löber’s tenure at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, spanned from 2011 to 2018, during which he held various roles, including Global Head of Branding & Communication Strategy. In this capacity, he led the transformational and multi-award-winning rebranding of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in 2015 as well as the subsequent external and internal brand communication campaigns. Prior to that, he held various roles in strategy and financial communication at pharmaceutical wholesaler and pharmacy operator Celesio and communications consultancy Hering Schuppener. Axel Löber holds a degree in German literature, political science and psychology.

“I am delighted that, as Axel Löber returns to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, he brings with him a broad spectrum of communications expertise along with deep institutional knowledge of our brand. His skillset and strong potential will contribute to the implementation of the company’s robust growth strategy in the coming years. We look forward to working together and warmly welcome Axel Löber back,” said Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Axel Löber succeeds Sabia Schwarzer, who has taken the decision to leave the company to be closer to her family in the United States, effective October 31, 2023. “During her time at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Sabia Schwarzer led a significant transformation of the Communications function while at the same time realizing substantial efficiencies. Under her leadership, the company’s reputation took a leap forward resulting in the German Image Award in 2023. I would like to thank Sabia Schwarzer for bringing her people-centric leadership and passion for storytelling to our company. We wish her all the best,” Belén Garijo continued.