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Annual Report 2025

Rising Leaders: Jan Hostettler on shaping strategic leadership in Industrial Solutions and Advanced Materials

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Jan Hostettler has been with IMCD since 2015, building a broad international career across multiple business lines and markets. In August 2025, he was promoted to Business Unit Manager for Industrial Solutions and Lubricants & Energy in Germany, advancing from his role as Market Manager for Advanced Materials, Germany. He reflects on his experience being part of the Rising Leaders programme.

Q1 | What encouraged you to apply for Rising Leaders in the first place? 

I applied because my role was growing, and I wanted to strengthen how I lead. The Rising Leaders programme offered exactly what I needed: space to think more strategically, gain honest feedback and step back from day-to-day work. It felt like the right moment to challenge myself and reflect on how I show up as a leader.

Q2 | The programme combines coaching, projects and peer learning. Which part made the biggest difference for you?

The mix of coaching and peer learning was the most powerful. Coaching helped me slow down, reflect and understand my leadership style more clearly. The group work brought fresh perspectives from other countries and business areas. It showed me how broad IMCD really is and pushed my thinking in a good way.
"The Rising Leaders programme offered exactly what I needed: space to think more strategically, gain honest feedback and step back from day-to-day work. It felt like the right moment to challenge myself and reflect on how I show up as a leader."
Jan Hostettler
Business Unit Manager for Industrial Solutions and Lubricants & Energy IMCD Germany

Q3 | Your 'capstone' project focused on a concrete business challenge. What did you take away from doing the work, not just learning the theory?

The biggest lesson was that operational excellence starts with clarity. Through interviews and process analysis I saw how often issues come from missing context, not missing effort. The project taught me to simplify complex situations, ask better questions, and treat continuous improvement as a habit. I also learned that momentum matters. You rarely have 100 percent of the information, but moving forward often brings the clarity you need.

Q4 | What advice would you give to colleagues looking to grow into leadership positions at IMCD?

Don’t chase titles. Focus on learning, ownership, and impact. At IMCD, opportunities come to people who make things happen and who are enjoyable to work with. Stay curious, stay humble, and make things work for your team and your business. Growth will follow.
People excellence
In 2024, the company introduced ‘Rising Leaders’, a global programme designed to build future commercial leaders. It brings together coaching, targeted leadership competencies and hands-on business projects that deliver tangible value.

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