Semperit AG Holding has appointed Richard Kelsey to its Executive Board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective November 1, 2026. Kelsey 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 to pursue new professional opportunities. The announcement was made by the Supervisory Board and distributed via NEWMEDIAWIRE.
Kelsey brings over 25 years of international experience in finance, mergers and acquisitions (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 its acquisition activities. His earlier career includes managing cross-border M&A projects at Raiffeisen Investment in Central and Eastern Europe 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 highlighted Kelsey's fit for the role: “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 as Semperit credits Sorger with driving a successful transformation. Prinzhorn noted that Sorger played a decisive role in refining the company's strategic direction and investment story, with a 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.
Semperit is an internationally oriented group that develops, produces, and sells high-quality elastomer products for industrial customers in over 100 countries. The Vienna-based company, founded in 1824, operates two divisions: Semperit Industrial Applications, which focuses on large-scale production of hydraulic and industrial hoses and profiles, and Semperit Engineered Applications, which produces escalator handrails, conveyor belts, cable car rings, and other engineered elastomer products, including the Rico Group. The group employs around 4,000 people worldwide across 15 production sites and numerous sales offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. In the 2025 financial year, Semperit generated revenue of EUR 662.4 million and EBITDA of EUR 79.5 million.
For stakeholders, Kelsey's appointment signals continuity in financial strategy and a strengthened focus on M&A and capital markets as Semperit seeks to build on its recent profitability gains. His extensive transaction experience could be pivotal in identifying and executing growth opportunities, while his background in transformation projects aligns with the company's ongoing efficiency efforts. The smooth transition, with Sorger departing at the end of October and Kelsey starting November 1, is designed to ensure stability. Further details about the company are available at www.semperitgroup.com.
