Richard Northcote takes top communications role at Bayer MaterialScience

First time a communications professional elected to Executive Committee

Leverkusen, – Richard Northcote (51) has been appointed head of global corporate communications and public affairs at Bayer MaterialScience. He has also become a member of the Executive Committee – the first time a senior communications professional has been appointed to the Board of this company.

In his new position, Northcote will report to Patrick Thomas, CEO, Bayer MaterialScience. He succeeds Harald Liedtke, who has taken on the role of Senior Country Representative for Bayer MaterialScience in the Middle East.

Prior to this appointment, Northcote was head of global strategic communications for Bayer MaterialScience, a role he held for two years.

“Richard’s appointment endorses the fact that communications is an intrinsic part of our global strategy,” says Patrick Thomas. “His knowlege of our markets, backed up by a strong and talented global communications team, will help us continue to improve the image and reputation of our company. Richard’s strong track record will serve him well in his new role.”

Northcote has over 20 years’ industry experience, working formerly as a journalist throughout the UK, Middle East and Asia, on trade titles including Construction Weekly and The Engineer.
He joined ICI in 1996 to work in media relations for the company’s polyurethanes division, based in Belgium, before being appointed director of global communications a year later. Following the acquisition of ICI Polyurethanes by Huntsman Corporation, he became Vice President of global corporate communications and corporate affairs.

In 2004, he left Huntsman to form Jigsaw Communications, a strategic communications consultancy before leaving to join Bayer MaterialScience in 2009.
He is a steering committee member of the Oxford University Business Economics Programme and an advisor to the Board of the European Institute for Industrial Leadership.

He is married with four children.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2010 sales of EUR 10.2 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2010, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,700 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.