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January 25, 2022

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Clyburn now one of a handful of Black CEOs of major firms  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., or IFF,  (NYSE: IFF) recently announced the appointment of Frank Clyburn, an accomplished leader and operational executive, to succeed Andreas Fibig as CEO and a member of the IFF board ofdirectors, effective Feb.14, 2022.

Clyburn joins IFF from Merck & Co. (Merck), where he currently serves asexecutive vicepresident and president of human health and today has full P&L responsibility for nearly 90% of Merck’s $48 billion business. He brings extensive experience leading complex global businesses and executing with exceptional operating discipline. Clyburn has an indepth understanding of R&D, extensive integration and M&A experience and a unique ability to connect with customers and all stakeholders. He has built his career around impactful execution and while at Merck, built one of the leading oncology business in the world and the largest business within Merck.

“Frank is the best executive to lead IFF into its next chapter at the pace we need. His strong operating experience plus his hands-on approach and customer-centric perspective will accelerate the execution of IFF’s strategic and operating priorities,” said Dale Morrison, IFF director. 

Ed Breen, IFF director, added “Frank joins IFF at a time when there are significant value creation opportunities ahead of us. We are confident in his ability to unlock profitable growth, capture synergies, maximize the N&B integration and optimize IFF’s portfolio to deliver strong value for shareholders.”

“I am honored to serve as IFF’s next CEO,” said Frank Clyburn, newly appointed CEO. “This is an iconic company and industry leader with tremendous opportunity to deliver outstanding customer experience and long-term, sustainable growth. The purpose and vision of IFF is very closely linked with accelerating global trends of nutrition, wellness and sustainability, which means that together, colleagues around the world can deliver significant value for both customers and shareholders. Working with IFF’s world-class talent, unrivaled offerings and impressive innovation platform, I am excited to bring my approach to executional excellence to capitalize on IFF’s bright future.”

“I am pleased to welcome Frank into the chief executive role,” said Fibig. “He joins IFF at a time when we are delivering our full year 2021 financial goals, with strong demand continuing in the first quarter. I am confident that Frank will excite and energize our teams around the world, and I wish him all the best as IFF’s next chapter unfolds under his leadership.”

The company also announced its decision to separate the chairman and CEO roles. Dale Morrison, long-standing IFF Director, will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board of directors, effective on Feb. 14, 2022. Ed will remain on the board as an independent director and the company will no longer have the Lead Independent Director role.

About Frank Clyburn
Clyburn was most recently the executive vice president and president of human health for Merck, where he had full P&L responsibility of Merck’s largest business. During his time at Merck, he was also responsible for building one of the leading oncology business in the world which is now transforming cancer care and is the largest business within Merck. He was an integral part of the integration of Merck’s $41 billion acquisition of Schering-Plough, where the company achieved strong top-line growth and delivered significant cost synergies.

Prior to his most recent role,  Clyburn was chief commercial fficer for Merck, responsible for human health commercial operations and the human health P&L. From 2013 to 2018, he was the inaugural president of the company’s global oncology business. He led the creation of this fully integrated global business unit, the worldwide launch of Merck’s immuno-oncology medicine and the establishment of Merck as a leader in oncology.

Previously, he was the President of the Primary Care and Women’s Health businesses and market access function. He also led the company’s global pharmaceutical franchises and lived in Shanghai and Lucerne. Mr. Clyburn joined the company in 2008 to lead its Biologics business.

Before joining Merck, Clyburn was vice president of the oncology and internal medicine business units at Sanofi Aventis and held a wide range of leadership roles with that company, in addition to being actively involved in the $65 billion integration of Sanofi and Aventis.

Clyburn received his Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College. Notably, he served on the board of directors of DuPont from June 1, 2019 to Jan. 20, 2022, giving him familiarity with the merger between IFF and N&B to advance the integration. He currently serves on the board of directors for the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). He also served as chairman to the Thomas Edison State University Board of Trustees.