Article Summary
BASF Coatings has announced its executive committee leadership team, effective July 1, 2026, when the company becomes independent following the closing of its transaction. The team is led by incoming CEO Jens Luehring and includes experienced executives from finance, transformation, and digital operations who will drive strategic direction and business performance.
- Effective Date: The new executive committee takes leadership on July 1, 2026, when BASF Coatings operates as an independent company
- CEO Leadership: Jens Luehring brings over 20 years of corporate transformation and M&A experience, having previously led Linde's Americas carve-out as President and CEO for seven years
- Team Composition: The committee includes a CFO with 25+ years in chemical industry finance, a Chief Transformation Officer with large-scale transformation expertise, and five EVPs leading Surface Treatment, Mobility Coatings, Refinish Coatings, and Operations
- Deep Industry Experience: Committee members combine long-standing BASF careers with external expertise, including leaders from Brenntag, Axalta, and other major industry players
- Strategic Focus: The leadership team balances continuity in customer service with capability to accelerate growth and operational performance in the independent company
BASF Coatings has named the leadership team that will guide the business as an independent company effective July 1, 2026, following the closing of the transaction.
The new structure brings together long-standing coatings leaders and senior executives with experience in finance, transformation and digital operations. The executive committee will be led by incoming chief executive officer Jens Luehring.
“Great teams combine experience with new thinking, and this one does both,” said incoming CEO Jens Luehring. “Some of these leaders have spent their careers building this business over many years; others bring hard-won expertise from across the industry. Together they give us the continuity to keep serving our customers at the highest level and the strength to think bigger and move faster.”
The executive committee sets strategic direction and drives business performance. Effective July 1, 2026, its members are:
- Jens Luehring, CEO
- Michael Pontzen, CFO
- Ewout van Jarwaarde, CTO
- Frank Naber, EVP surface treatment
- Patrick Zhao, EVP mobility coatings
- Steve Arndt, EVP refinish coatings
- Dr. Nils Lessmann, EVP operations mobility/refinish
Jens Luehring, chief executive officer
Jens Luehring brings more than two decades of experience in corporate transformation, mergers and acquisitions and finance. He previously led the carve-out and stand-up of legacy Linde’s Americas assets as an independent company and served as President and CEO for seven years, overseeing financial performance and operational growth.
Michael Pontzen, chief financial officer
Michael Pontzen joins with more than 25 years of finance leadership in the chemical industry. Most recently CFO of Nobian, he previously spent 18 years at LANXESS, where he held senior roles including CFO, along with leadership in controlling, corporate finance and investor relations.
Ewout van Jarwaarde, chief transformation officer
Ewout van Jarwaarde brings extensive experience in large-scale transformation and value creation. He most recently served as CEO of Brenntag Essentials and was a member of the Board of Management of Brenntag, where he led global transformation initiatives. He also previously helped build and scale CarNext.com under private equity ownership.
Frank Naber, executive vice-president surface treatment
Frank Naber has more than two decades of experience within BASF across coatings and surface treatment. He has held leadership roles in Europe and Asia Pacific, most recently serving as senior vice-president global surface treatment and previously Automotive OEM Coatings Solutions EMEA.
Patrick Zhao, executive vice-president mobility coatings
Patrick Zhao has been with BASF since 1999, holding leadership roles across technology, marketing and business in Asia Pacific. He most recently served as senior vice-president coatings solutions Asia Pacific before taking global responsibility for the OEM business, with a strong focus on growth in the Chinese automotive market.
Steve Arndt, executive vice-president refinish coatings
Steve Arndt brings more than 30 years of automotive refinish experience across manufacturing and distribution in North America and Europe. He previously served as global distribution sales director at Axalta Coating Systems and earlier held senior leadership roles at FinishMaster, including president and COO.
Dr. Nils Lessmann, executive vice-president operations mobility/refinish
Dr. Lessmann oversees production, supply chain and procurement for mobility and refinish coatings. He joined BASF in 2009 and has held senior operational and technical roles across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas, most recently as senior vice-president global operations paints and resin.
