Polpharma Group announces leadership transition with Sebastian Szymanek appointment
Polpharma Group, a major pharmaceutical manufacturer serving Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, has confirmed a planned leadership transition effective 1 January 2026. Markus Sieger will step down as chief executive officer after ten years of service, with Sebastian Szymanek succeeding him in the role.
Decade of growth concludes with strategic succession
Sieger’s tenure has overseen substantial expansion of the pharmaceutical group, which operates manufacturing facilities producing 400 million medicine packages annually for distribution across more than 40 countries. The organisation employs 5,600 personnel across its manufacturing and commercial operations in Poland, Kazakhstan, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland.
The outgoing CEO will transition to the supervisory board, maintaining involvement in strategic development as part of a succession framework established at the beginning of his appointment. Jerzy Starak, owner of Polpharma Group, acknowledged Sieger’s contribution: “On behalf of the entire Polpharma community, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Markus for his outstanding commitment and vision over the past ten years.”
Pharmaceutical industry veteran assumes leadership
Szymanek brings nearly 30 years of pharmaceutical sector experience to the position, with expertise spanning both generic and innovative medicines. His 18-year career at Polpharma has included progressively senior commercial and operational roles, most recently as president of the management board of Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A. since September 2021.
Previous positions within the group include general manager for Poland from 2014 and president of the management board of Polpharma Biuro Handlowe from 2017 to March 2021. His responsibilities have encompassed strategic project implementation, cross-functional team leadership, and market positioning development.
Regional pharmaceutical manufacturing footprint
The Polpharma Group’s manufacturing network comprises Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A. in Poland, Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Santo in Kazakhstan, and subsidiaries Farmaprojects in Spain, 089Farm in Germany, and Swiss Pharma International in Switzerland. The organisation has maintained operations for over 90 years, serving healthcare systems with medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and pharmaceutical solutions.
Nick Haggar, chairman of the supervisory board, commented on the appointment: “I am confident that Sebastian is the right person to lead Polpharma Group into its next chapter. His deep knowledge of the organisation, proven leadership capabilities, operational focus, and unwavering commitment to our mission make him the ideal choice to guide the Group’s continued growth and innovation.”
For more information, visit: https://www.polpharma.pl
Sebastian Szymanek
