Ilham Kadri becomes Cefic President
Dr Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, becomes Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council) President, succeeding Dr. Martin Brudermueller. She is one of Europe’s most prominent and well-known business leaders.
Kadri holds a degree in chemical engineering from L’École des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg, and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University. Dr. Kadri served as Cefic’s Vice President before becoming the President and holds several key positions in business associations around the world.
Kadri is a world citizen with Moroccan-French roots and professional experience across four continents. During her 30-year career, she has held various positions at leading companies. Her responsibilities have included research & development, strategy, business and digital in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, water desalination, construction, consumer goods, food service, hospitality and healthcare.
Key role in the European Industrial Summit
The new Cefic President actively speaks out for the role of science, innovation, sustainability, inclusion and diversity, mentoring and promoting female leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics: “I am honoured to take on this role, in what is a pivotal moment for Europe and Europeans, industry at large and the European chemical industry itself. I therefore very much look forward to supporting the next generation of European Politicians and the new European Commission Leadership. If I can relate one message already right now – Go vote in June! It is crucial”.
Kadri, along with outgoing President Brudermueller, played a key role in the European Industrial Summit, hosting key government officials such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo and former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta. The coming months, Brussels will see a series of Antwerp Dialogues, further exploring the key requests in the Antwerp Declaration.
“Our industry has long committed to Europe’s climate neutrality and circularity goals, there has been no question about what we are trying to achieve. With the Antwerp Declaration, which is supported by more than 1100 organisations, spanning 25 sectors, we have laid out how we need to achieve it. In the coming months, our ambition is to see Europe putting industry competitiveness at the heart of Europe’s decision making. The industry leaders want to see Europe become the global hub for innovation, and also a place where technologies can be scaled up effectively, on-time with less bureaucracy, a single market with an industrial policy attracting investments to invest on European soil, and where there is a solid market demand, including the public one, for sustainable products”, Kadri said.
