Friday, May 8, 2026

Belén Garijo appointed CEO of Sanofi from May 1, 2026

Sanofi has confirmed the appointment of Belén Garijo as a board member and designated her as the group’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision was endorsed at the company’s Mixed General Meeting of Shareholders held in Paris on April 29, 2026. Garijo is set to take up the CEO role on May 1, 2026.

Shareholders approve key resolutions

According to Sanofi, all resolutions were adopted with strong shareholder support. The meeting approved the parent company and consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2025 and voted to distribute an ordinary annual dividend of €4.12 per share, with payment scheduled for May 7, 2026.

Board refresh and committee assignments

Shareholders also renewed the board mandates of Christophe Babule and Jean-Paul Kress. In addition, Sanofi welcomed Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, as an independent board member. The company highlighted her leadership background and experience with digital and AI technologies.

Sanofi’s Board of Directors now has 16 members, including two employee representatives. The company reports an independence rate of 79%. Women account for 57% of the board, and eight directors hold foreign nationality.

Following the departures of Paul Hudson and Patrick Kron, the Board appointed Frédéric Oudéa as Chair of the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee. Belén Garijo joins the Strategic Committee. Christel Heydemann will serve on the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee and the Compensation Committee.

Garijo’s background

Garijo previously served for five years as Chief Executive Officer and President of Merck. During her tenure, she led a transformation of the Healthcare business, including changes to the portfolio, R&D organization, and the commercial model, according to the company’s biography.

Earlier in her career, she held the role of Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe at SanofiAventis and led the integration of Genzyme after its acquisition. Garijo is a physician specialized in clinical pharmacology and began her career as a practicing doctor at La Paz Hospital in Madrid.