Matthew Van Der Merwe is the Global Head of SHE at Henkel, overseeing safety, health, and environmental risk management in the manufacturing of adhesives and chemical solutions. With over 7 years at Henkel, he has held key roles such as Global SHE Strategy & Development Manager and SHE Manager, focusing on compliance and risk management. He has extensive experience in environmental, health, and safety management from his work at GCP Applied Technologies and W.R. Grace. His background also includes consulting and project management, along with a SAMTRAC certificate in Integrated Safety Management Systems from NOSA.

Henkel operates worldwide with leading innovations, brands and technologies in two business areas: Adhesive Technologies and Consumer Brands. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 145 years of success. The company holds leading positions with its two business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf / Germany, counts among the most internationally aligned German-based companies in the global marketplace. Our company purpose expresses what unites us all at Henkel: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. We are a diverse team of around 48,000 colleagues worldwide, striving to enrich and improve life every day through our products, services, and solutions. Our Purpose is built from our roots and carries a long-standing legacy of innovation, responsibility, and sustainability into the future. Our shared values and Leadership Commitments guide our decisions and actions every day.