Velan Inc. Unveils New Leadership Team and Streamlined Structure to Drive Strategic Growth

Leadership Changes Drive Organizational Streamlining

On July 27, 2026, Velan Inc. announced the appointments of Laurent Pefferkorn as Chief Commercial Officer and Daniel Velan as Chief Product Officer. These roles are central to the company’s newly simplified organizational model that integrates global corporate functions with regional business units. The restructuring aims to support Velan’s strategic growth goals and enhance operational execution across its worldwide manufacturing network.

Pefferkorn’s role as Chief Commercial Officer underscores Velan’s commitment to bolstering market positioning and customer engagement in key regions. Meanwhile, Daniel Velan’s appointment as Chief Product Officer entrusts him with product strategy and development within the revamped structure. Both executives join the expanded senior leadership team led by President and CEO Rishi Sharma, who assumed his role following the ownership transition earlier in 2026.

New Executives in Quality and Legal Functions

Victor Apostolescu has been named Vice President, Global Quality, tasked with standardizing and overseeing quality management across Velan’s manufacturing operations worldwide. The announcement does not specify Apostolescu’s prior experience in quality roles. This appointment highlights the company’s focus on maintaining consistent quality standards across its nine manufacturing sites globally.

Max Rogan joins Velan as Chief Legal Officer, Human Resources Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer. Previously, Rogan served as Chief Legal Officer at Polycor and Chief of Legal Affairs at Uni-Sélect, bringing extensive experience from industrial and commercial sectors. Consolidating legal, HR, and administrative functions under one executive aligns with Velan’s streamlined structure to enhance decision-making efficiency and accountability.

Expanded Regional Leadership Enhances Market Responsiveness

Bryant Holt has been appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager, Americas, a newly created role designed to bring decision-making closer to Velan’s North and South American markets and customers. The announcement does not disclose Holt’s prior experience or previous roles within Velan. This regional leadership aims to improve responsiveness to customer needs and market dynamics in the Americas, where Velan operates multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities.

William Toqueboeuf joins Velan’s senior management as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Although new to the organization, the announcement does not provide details on Toqueboeuf’s previous professional background. His appointment establishes dedicated leadership for Velan’s operations across EMEA, a key segment of the company’s global manufacturing and sales footprint.

Ownership Transition Shapes New Organizational Framework

The management restructuring follows Velan’s ownership change completed earlier in 2026, when Société Holding Velan Ltée sold its majority stake to funds managed by Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc. As part of this transition, Rishi Sharma was appointed President and CEO, and Imran Gibbons became Chief Financial Officer. These leadership changes were announced in conjunction with the ownership transfer.

The company’s new organizational model merges global corporate functions with regional business units, designed to support the next stage of strategic growth. This simplified structure aims to enhance accountability, decentralize decision-making closer to customers and markets, and build a stronger foundation for operational excellence. The timing indicates that Velan’s new ownership and management are actively implementing strategies to boost competitive positioning and operational performance.

CEO Rishi Sharma Highlights Strategic Importance of Restructuring

Rishi Sharma, President and CEO, stated: "These organizational changes mark a pivotal milestone as we advance Velan’s next phase of strategic growth. By simplifying our structure, enhancing accountability, and positioning decision-making closer to our customers and markets, we are laying stronger foundations to achieve operational excellence."

Sharma emphasized the company’s dedication to collaborating with its global workforce to improve execution and deliver greater value to customers. The restructuring is viewed as essential for achieving medium- and long-term growth objectives by boosting responsiveness and decision-making efficiency throughout the organization.

Velan’s Global Operations and Business Scale

Founded in Montreal in 1950, Velan Inc. is recognized as one of the world’s leading industrial valve manufacturers. The company operates manufacturing facilities in nine countries, serving a diverse global customer base across multiple industries reliant on industrial valves. The July 27, 2026, restructuring aims to efficiently manage this extensive geographic manufacturing and operational footprint under the new corporate structure.

In its most recently completed fiscal year, Velan reported revenues of US$296.4 million from continuing operations and employs 1,273 people worldwide. These figures illustrate the scale of the business now overseen by the restructured leadership team. Additional information about Velan’s products, operations, and corporate details is available at www.velan.com.

Toronto Stock Exchange Listing and Investor Resources

Velan Inc. is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VLN. The company remains publicly listed following the ownership transition and management changes. The July 27, 2026, restructuring and leadership appointments represent significant corporate governance and organizational developments relevant to current and prospective investors.

Investors can access financial reports, corporate filings, and further details through the Toronto Stock Exchange and Velan’s investor relations channels. Imran Gibbons, Chief Financial Officer, is listed as the contact for investor inquiries, with contact information provided for those seeking additional insights into the company’s financial performance and corporate updates.

Simplified Structure Designed to Boost Competitiveness

The new organizational framework, combining global corporate functions with regional business units, is intended to enhance Velan’s operational performance and competitive positioning. By consolidating corporate functions such as legal, human resources, and quality management, while establishing dedicated regional leadership for the Americas and EMEA regions, Velan aims to balance global consistency with regional market agility.

This model addresses common challenges faced by large multinational manufacturers: maintaining consistent global operational and quality standards while enabling swift decision-making and customer responsiveness locally. The restructuring reflects the belief of Velan’s new ownership and management that this approach will improve operational execution and customer value delivery. The announcement does not specify timelines for full implementation or projected financial impacts.