Ilham Kadri, Belgium’s highest-paid CEO, named Woman of the Year 2025

The handover is taking place in a complex stock market environment. Mike Radossich, a veteran of the company and the turnaround of the Novecare subsidiary, is taking over a company whose stock has suffered from the slowdown in the automotive and aerospace sectors. While the future boss is already announcing that he wants to "optimize" certain divisions, Ilham Kadri is defending her record until the end. She recalls that Syensqo has the "strongest balance sheet in its sector" and is among the top three performers in the specialty chemicals sector over the past twelve months.

This end of term is hailed by the jury of the Belgian Woman of the Year award, chaired by Marie Guérin. The jurors have rewarded a "passionate advocate of diversity" and a global figure in STEM. Succeeding personalities like magistrate Laurence Massart, Ilham Kadri is honored for a leadership described as visionary and human. This recognition crowns a journey that began at the head of Solvay in 2019, marked by a major structural transformation.

The mission is now considered accomplished by the person concerned. The split orchestrated at the end of 2023, separating basic chemistry (Solvay) from innovation (Syensqo), has been completed. "One must have the wisdom to leave when the right people are ready to take over the torch," says the one who will now take on the role of special advisor for the transition.