Bayer AG's Supervisory Board extends contract with CEO Bill Anderson
17.07.2025 14:09
The Supervisory Board of Bayer AG has unanimously decided to extend the contract of the company's CEO, Bill Anderson (58), until March 31, 2029. His original contract ends on March 31, 2026. Anderson has been with Bayer since April 1, 2023, and assumed the role of CEO on June 1, 2023.
„Bayer is in the midst of a profound transformation. The priorities are clearly defined, the challenges are being addressed systematically, and initial significant successes are emerging, even though much remains to be done,“ said Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG. „Bill Anderson has set the right course and initiated the turnaround with a comprehensive program. Under his leadership, the path taken will be consistently pursued during this important phase for the company,“ Winkeljohann continued.
Regarding its five strategic priorities – strengthening the pharmaceutical pipeline, improving Crop Science profitability, implementing Dynamic Shared Ownership to become leaner and more innovative, reducing debt, and mitigating legal risks in the US – the company has initiated numerous measures that are now beginning to take effect. Bayer has successfully advanced its pharmaceutical pipeline. In addition to a strong foundation, the newly launched products have shown very encouraging growth momentum. To improve the profitability of the Crop Science business, the first measures of a comprehensive five-year program are being implemented. The introduction of the new Dynamic Shared Ownership organizational model is also progressing. This model aims to radically reduce bureaucracy and significantly accelerate decision-making by placing it largely in the hands of those who work closest to the customer and the product. Since the introduction of the new organizational model, hierarchical levels have been significantly reduced, the number of management positions has roughly halved, there are approximately 11,000 fewer employees in the company, and the planned savings of two billion euros for 2026 are progressing. Furthermore, debt has been reduced. Regarding the significant mitigation of legal risks in the US, the company is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy, which is being implemented step by step.
Bill Anderson sees the company on the right track. There are numerous opportunities to be seized – and serious challenges that are being tackled resolutely. „With our mission ‘Health for all, Hunger for none,“ we dedicate ourselves to serving people everywhere in the world. This is what drives our colleagues – and it inspires me anew every day. I am convinced that our team has the right focus, the right plan, and the right motivation to become the leanest, fastest, and most innovative life science company. We are passionate about what we do and approach our tasks with determination. I am delighted to be part of Team Bayer and thank the members of the Supervisory Board – both the shareholder and employee representatives – for their trust,” said Anderson.
William N. (Bill) Anderson, born in 1966, is an American chemical engineer and manager. He began his professional career in 1989. After positions at Ethyl Corporation and Raychem Corporation, Anderson joined Biogen, an American biotechnology company, in 1997. Following various management positions, Anderson was appointed General Manager of Biogen's Neurology Unit, the company's largest business unit. In 2006, he moved to Genentech, one of the pioneering American biotechnology companies. There, he ultimately served as Senior Vice President in the company's BioOncology Unit.
In 2013, Anderson took on the role of Head of Global Product Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer at Roche Pharmaceuticals, the parent company of Genentech. He held this position until 2016, when he returned to Genentech as Head of North American Operations before becoming CEO of the company in 2017. In 2019, he assumed the role of CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals. Bill Anderson is married and has three adult children.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. True to its mission "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company aims to benefit people and protect the environment with its products and services by contributing to solutions for fundamental challenges facing a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to making a significant contribution to sustainable development through its business activities. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability, and quality worldwide. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and generated sales of €46.6 billion. Research and development expenses amounted to €6.2 billion. Further information is available online at [website address missing in original text]. www.bayer.com/de.