Merck today announced that Sabia Schwarzer has been appointed Head of Group Communications, Brand and Corporate Affairs at Merck, effective January 2022.
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that Sabia Schwarzer has been appointed Head of Group Communications, Brand and Corporate Affairs at Merck, effective January 2022. She will report to Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck.
Sabia Schwarzer will lead the newly created function Group Communications, Brand and Corporate Affairs, which will focus on continuously raising the global profile and impact of Merck by further building the company’s reputation as the 21st century leader in science and technology. Under her leadership, Corporate Affairs and Group Communications will be combined into one global team to ensure proximity to internal and external stakeholders.
“I am extremely pleased that Sabia Schwarzer is joining Merck at this crucial point in our journey. Merck’s future will be marked by growth and by new stakeholder expectations where trust and credibility will be key for progress. Having led Corporate Responsibility and Reputation in global functions, Sabia Schwarzer brings with her a track record of shaping and developing corporate reputation in dialog with key stakeholders. With her bold and values driven leadership style, she has built a strong community of ambassadors for a brand. I welcome her to the Merck team,” said Belén Garijo.
“When deep values and tradition meet innovation, a global mindset and modern leadership, that is where Merck can be found,” said Sabia Schwarzer. “I am honored to join a journey that started more than 350 years ago. And I am looking forward to meeting team Merck, to learning a new industry and to contributing my best.”
Sabia Schwarzer joins Merck after having spent 25 years at Allianz Group, where she most recently served as Global Head of Communications and Corporate Responsibility. A trained journalist, she has lived and worked across three continents.
Sabia Schwarzer will succeed Petra Wicklandt, current Head of Corporate Affairs, and Thomas Möller, current Head of Group Communications. As previously announced, Petra Wicklandt will take over the leadership of the new Group Function “Corporate Sustainability, Quality and Trade Compliance”, effective October 2021. Thomas Möller has decided to accept an external offer and will leave Merck at the beginning of next year.
“I would like to warmly thank Petra Wicklandt and Thomas Möller for their significant contributions to shaping Merck’s reputation among our internal and external audiences during the past years and paving the way for a smooth transition combining Communications and Corporate Affairs into one strong function,” Belén Garijo added.
