Generational change: the new president of Béres Pharmaceuticals is Marcell Béres
In September 2024, a new chapter in the history of Béres begins: the leading pharmaceutical company in Hungary has once again reached a generational change. Dr. József Béres, who has been President of the company for nearly 25 years, hands over his position to his son Marcell Béres.
Founded in 1989, this is the second generation change in the history of Béres Pharmaceuticals, which is almost unique in Hungary. According to international statistics, only about one tenth of family businesses worldwide are worthy of the third generation of the owning family successfully taking over the management. The company, founded on the innovative invention of Dr. József Béres Sr., has developed over the past decades, under the presidency of Dr. József Béres Jr., into Hungary’s largest family-owned pharmaceutical company, whose products have become recognized brands not only in Hungary but also internationally.
Marcell Béres: continuous innovation based on tradition is the key to our future
Marcell Béres joined the family company ten years ago, where he has proven his expertise and commitment as Innovation Director and member of the Board of Directors over the past six years and will be a worthy successor to his father. “There are few companies where the brand name is also the family name – for me, this gives me not only extra responsibility but also extra motivation! I grew up with Béres, and step by step, without any sense of compulsion, I developed the idea that this is what I wanted to do, that I wanted to take it to the next level. I’m proud that we pass on from generation to generation the values that have made us successful, that continuity, tradition and renewal, continuous innovation go hand in hand.” – said Marcell Béres, who as President will continue to work to further strengthen the company’s position in both domestic and international markets.
Dr József Béres helps his son from behind the scenes
Dr. József Béres, who took over the position of Chairman from his father in 2000, will continue to play an active role in the Group’s life as a member of the Board of Directors, providing his son with his experience and advice in his role as Chairman. “The generational change is not a moment in time, but the result of a long and conscious process at Béres, of which this is an important milestone. It is a test in the life of any family business, but I am convinced that the intergenerational understanding of our family provides an excellent basis for this. I believe and know that my son will carry the same core values that my father and I built Béres on. For me, this is one of the most important guarantees for a successful future.”
Change also in the CEO position
At the same time as the generational change in Béres’ chairmanship, a new CEO joins Béres Pharma in September 2024, replacing the retiring Ferenc Major with Balázs Sipos, who joins the team with senior international pharmaceutical experience. The new CEO’s goal is to build on Béres’ values and achievements, and to further develop the company through continuous innovation, so that Béres’ high-quality products can serve an ever-wider range of people’s health needs both locally and internationally.