Key Takeaways
- Guru Ramamurthy will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer for Bayer’s Crop Science division on July 1, 2025.
- He succeeds Oliver Rittgen, who is leaving the company after 25 years to pursue external opportunities.
- Ramamurthy currently serves as CFO of Bayer US and has over two decades of global finance experience within the company.
- The leadership transition aligns with Bayer’s renewed strategic focus on Crop Science profitability and innovation.
- CEO Bill Anderson highlighted a five-year plan for Crop Science, with further details expected on May 13.
Guru Ramamurthy to Lead Financial Strategy at Bayer Crop Science
Bayer (Profile) has announced that Guru Ramamurthy will take over as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of its Crop Science division, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Oliver Rittgen, who is departing the company after 25 years of service.
Ramamurthy is currently the CFO of Bayer US and brings over 20 years of finance leadership experience at Bayer across multiple divisions and regions. His appointment comes during a period of strategic focus for Bayer’s Crop Science segment, particularly around profitability and pipeline execution.
A Career Spanning Four Continents and Multiple Divisions
Ramamurthy’s Experience at Bayer
Since joining Bayer in 2001, Guru Ramamurthy has held senior finance positions in:
- Bayer US (current role as CFO)
- AskBio, Bayer’s gene therapy subsidiary
- Global Medical Care division
- Country and regional finance teams in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S.
Ramamurthy will be based in St. Louis, Missouri, the Crop Science division’s global headquarters.
Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division, stated: “Guru has a strong track record of enabling business turnarounds and driving transformation through a holistic business perspective… His collaborative and innovative approaches have further amplified his impact.”
Oliver Rittgen Departs After Two Decades of Financial Leadership
Oliver Rittgen joined Bayer in 2000 and held key roles across the company’s Finance operations. Before serving as CFO of the Crop Science division, he was CFO of Consumer Health and held regional finance positions in Germany, Finland, and Thailand.
Commenting on Rittgen’s departure, Rodrigo Santos said: “His innovative and entrepreneurial thinking has helped us to further develop the financial operations of our business. I want to thank him for his valuable contributions and wish him all the best for the future.”
Bayer noted that Rittgen’s successor as CFO of Bayer US will be named in due course.
Crop Science Profitability Now a Core Strategic Priority
At the company’s recent Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, CEO Bill Anderson emphasized that Crop Science profitability has been added as a fifth strategic priority for the company. Anderson reaffirmed Bayer’s mid-term objectives, including:
- Above-market growth in the Crop Science business
- €3.5 billion in incremental innovation-driven sales
- EBITDA margin improvements to the mid-20s by 2029
Anderson also noted the division’s five-year plan to focus the portfolio and optimize pipeline performance, with more details expected on May 13, 2025.
Looking Ahead
The appointment of Guru Ramamurthy aligns with Bayer’s broader efforts to position its Crop Science division for sustainable growth and enhanced financial performance. As the company continues to adjust to global market dynamics, the leadership transition signals a focus on financial rigor and innovation-led execution in the years ahead.
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