Marco Swoboda

Marco Swoboda serves as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Finance, Purchasing & Integrated Business Solutions at Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, one of Germany's leading consumer goods and adhesives companies. Born in Velbert, Germany, in 1971, Swoboda has built his career over more than two decades with Henkel, demonstrating exceptional financial leadership and international expertise. He assumed the CFO role in January 2020, succeeding Carsten Knobel who became CEO, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career trajectory. Swoboda's extensive international experience includes leading Henkel's Asia Pacific finance organization from Shanghai from 2011 to 2014, where he managed finance operations across 12 countries and gained deep insights into emerging markets. His strategic financial leadership has been instrumental in driving Henkel's sustainable finance initiatives, including the establishment of a comprehensive Sustainable Finance Framework that enables the issuance of both sustainability-linked bonds and green bonds. Under his guidance, Henkel has pioneered innovative approaches in sustainable finance, positioning the company at the forefront of ESG-focused financial strategies. Prior to rejoining Henkel, Swoboda played a crucial role at Cognis, the spun-off chemicals division of Henkel, where he managed the complex divestment process to a private equity consortium and headed group controlling. This experience provided him with invaluable expertise in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and strategic financial planning. His leadership extends beyond traditional CFO responsibilities to encompass purchasing and integrated business solutions, reflecting Henkel's integrated approach to financial and operational excellence. Swoboda is recognized for his digital innovation in financial communications and investor relations, actively participating in high-profile international forums including the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum Europe and the World Economic Forum in Davos. His commitment to excellence is evidenced by his recognition of outstanding team achievements and his role in celebrating Global F Award winners. With his Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program credentials and comprehensive understanding of global markets, Swoboda continues to drive Henkel's financial strategy and long-term value creation initiatives.