Rotterdam, 5 May 2026 - Caldic, a leading global distributor and development partner for the life sciences and material sciences sectors, today announced the appointment of Annik Varela as Chief Executive Officer of Caldic in Latin America. Annik succeeds Elcio Mendes who is stepping down from the role for personal reasons. In this position, Annik will work closely with the Latin American and global leadership teams to help drive operational excellence and long-term value creation.
“We are delighted that Annik will assume the role of CEO and support our organization,” said Steven Terwindt, Group CEO at Caldic. “With her 30-year experience in the industry and people-centric leadership style, she is exceptionally well positioned to guide our Latin American team and accelerate growth in the region, “Her long-standing experience in principal and customer management, business development, and market expansion is remarkable. Annik’s strong track record in end-market strategy execution, business planning, customer service excellence, and M&A, gives her a broad perspective that is invaluable as we continue to invest in value-added capabilities and drive sustainable growth across our portfolio of ingredients and specialty chemicals.”
Annik brings deep insight into chemical distribution, having served as a senior executive across the life sciences and material sciences markets in Latin America. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles, including Commercial Director and Business Unit Manager, as well as her current position as Managing Director LATAM. She has led cross-functional teams spanning sales, procurement, and marketing, consistently delivering value, bolstered by her passion for innovation and commitment to partner-centricity.
Annik holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing & Management.
“Having worked in this organization for many years, I have a deep appreciation for the unique value Caldic delivers to its partners,” said Annik Varela, “I am excited to lead Caldic in Latin America and work alongside the leadership team to further strengthen our strategy, build sustainable value and unlock new opportunities for growth across the region.”
“As we welcome Annik as our new regional CEO in Latin America,” added Steven Terwindt, “we also want to recognize Elcio Mendes’s leadership, commitment and passion throughout his tenure with Caldic. We are grateful for his valuable contributions to the organization, and we wish him every success in the future.”
