Grifols, S.A. announced that Thomas Glanzmann remained the Executive Chairman, and Nacho Abia will become Chief Executive Officer. Abia is a seasoned senior executive with 25 years of international management experience at publicly traded life-science and medical-technology companies. He was most recently Executive Officer and Global Chief Strategy Officer of Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation, a Nikkei-listed company with 33,000 employees that specializes in medical technology and is a global leader in diagnostics and minimally invasive treatments.

Abia was responsible for Corporate Strategy and Planning, Business Development and Global Operating Model, with all Olympus regional presidents reporting to him. Prior to that he was Executive Officer and Global Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all Olympus vertical divisions including Endoscopic Solutions, Therapeutic Solutions and Scientific Solutions, with combined revenues of more than USD 7 billion. He will be appointed Board member on February 26 and assume his responsibilities as CEO on April 1, focusing on enhancing Grifols' current growth strategy, furthering operational excellence and continuing to execute the company's deleveraging plan.

Abia becoming CEO as well as the decision by Raimon Grifols and Víctor Grifols Deu to step down from their current roles after a smooth transition are part of a succession roadmap that the two Grifols executives, along with the Board, set in motion back in 2022. The Board awaited activation until the company's post-pandemic recovery had solidified. Well-orchestrated handoffs have begun to ensure appropriate knowledge transfers, organizational adaption, and smooth continuity of business operations.