Barbara Veranneman to succeed Yves Verschueren as Managing Director of essenscia
The board of directors of essenscia, the Belgian federation for the chemistry and life sciences industries, has appointed Barbara Veranneman as its new Managing Director. Veranneman, who currently serves as Director of International Affairs and Legal Counsel at essenscia and chair of the chemistry incubator BlueChem, will officially take on the role on September 1, 2026.
Barbara Veranneman will succeed Yves Verschueren, who has led the federation for the past two decades. Verschueren will assist with the transition over the coming months to ensure operational continuity. Veranneman assumes leadership during a critical period of economic and industrial transition, emphasizing the need to strengthen and transform the industry while collaborating closely with sector companies, policymakers, and stakeholders to shape the industry's future.
Barbara Veranneman, new Managing Director of essenscia: “The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is at a tipping point. In a world that is changing profoundly, we must simultaneously strengthen and transform our industry. For pharma, biotech, chemistry, and plastics are essential for our strategic autonomy and prosperity. Together with sector companies, policymakers, partners, and societal stakeholders, essenscia aims to concretely shape the industry of the future. It is an honor and a great responsibility to be able to build upon the solid foundations that Yves Verschueren has laid over the past few years. I thank the Board for their trust and look forward to taking on this challenge with full conviction.”