Linde Announces Leadership Changes with Strauss Retirement and Bacher Appointment as New Chief Human Resources Officer.

Linde plc has announced executive leadership changes. David Strauss, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, will retire effective March 31, 2026. Desiree Bacher, currently Senior Vice President of Communications, AI, and Corporate Procurement, will succeed Strauss as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer on September 1, 2025. This transition marks a significant moment for Linde as it continues to evolve and strengthen its executive team.

Linde plc, a leading industrial gas company, has announced significant changes in its executive leadership. David Strauss, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, will retire effective March 31, 2026. Desiree Bacher, currently Senior Vice President of Communications, AI, and Corporate Procurement, will succeed Strauss as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer on September 1, 2025 [1].

This transition marks a notable moment for Linde as it continues to evolve and strengthen its executive team. The announcement comes amidst a period of robust financial performance and strategic growth for the company. In the first quarter of 2025, Linde reported earnings per share (EPS) of $4.09, surpassing analysts' consensus estimates by $0.06. The company's revenue for the quarter was $8.50 billion, up 2.3% year-over-year. Additionally, Linde recently announced a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 1.3% with an upcoming payment date on September 18th [2].

The changes in executive leadership follow a series of positive developments for Linde, including upgrades in analyst ratings. Brokerage firm Argus upgraded Linde to a "strong-buy" rating, with multiple firms increasing their target prices, currently averaging a consensus target of $519.63. Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Royal Bank Of Canada have also recently raised their ratings and target prices for Linde [1].

Despite these positive signals, Linde has seen some insider activity. Vice President Sean Durbin sold 7,261 shares of the stock, and Vice President David P. Strauss sold 1,987 shares, representing a decrease in their positions. However, these sales do not significantly impact the company's overall institutional ownership, which stands at 82.80% [2].

Linde's strategic focus on innovation and sustainability, along with its robust financial performance, positions it well for future growth. The upcoming executive leadership changes are expected to further solidify Linde's commitment to excellence and innovation in the industrial gas sector.

References:
[1] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-asr-vermogensbeheer-nv-takes-position-in-linde-plc-nasdaqlin-2025-08-06/
[2] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-asr-vermogensbeheer-nv-takes-position-in-linde-plc-nasdaqlin-2025-08-06/