Semperit AG Holding has appointed Richard Kelsey as a member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective November 1, 2026. He will succeed Helmut Sorger, who is leaving the company by mutual agreement at the end of October 2026 after more than four years in the role. The announcement, made by the Supervisory Board, signals a strategic move to bolster Semperit's financial leadership as the Austrian elastomer specialist enters what it describes as its next phase of growth.
Kelsey brings over 25 years of international experience in finance, M&A, and capital markets. He most recently served as CFO of Constantia Flexibles, a leading flexible packaging provider, for more than five years, where he oversaw numerous international transactions and transformation projects. Prior to that, he was Head of M&A at the same company, leading acquisition activities. His earlier career includes managing cross-border M&A projects at Raiffeisen Investment and working as an equity analyst at Cazenove in London. His term on the Semperit Executive Board will run until October 31, 2029.
Supervisory Board Chairman Cord Prinzhorn emphasized the importance of the appointment: "With Richard Kelsey, we have gained a CFO who combines extensive M&A expertise with in-depth knowledge of the capital markets. Together with Manfred Stanek and Gerfried Eder, our Executive Board is exceptionally well-positioned to successfully shape Semperit’s next phase of growth. Our shared goal is to further strengthen the company’s position and thus create additional long-term value for our shareholders."
The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for Semperit, which employs around 4,000 people worldwide and operates 15 production sites. In the 2025 financial year, the Group generated revenue of EUR 662.4 million and EBITDA of EUR 79.5 million. Prinzhorn credited Sorger with driving Semperit's transformation and successful realignment, highlighting his focus on lean structures, cost discipline, and value creation. "The boost in profitability in the current 2026 financial year reflects this course. Semperit is clearly positioned in strategic terms and very well equipped for the next phase of growth," Prinzhorn added.
Kelsey's appointment is likely to be closely watched by investors and industry observers, given his background in M&A and capital markets. His experience could prove valuable as Semperit continues to optimize its portfolio and pursue growth opportunities. The company, founded in 1824 and headquartered in Vienna, operates through two divisions: Semperit Industrial Applications and Semperit Engineered Applications. For more information about the company, visit www.semperitgroup.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
