Our CEO & Global Management Board

Dr. Boris Gorella

Chief Executive Officer

Boris Gorella, CEO of Master Builders Solutions, brings extensive experience to the construction chemicals industry. Appointed in May 2023 under the ownership of the international private equity firm Cinven, he has a successful career spanning decades, with notable roles including CEO of Pfleiderer Group (2021-2023, PE-owned) and Beckers Group (2011-2020, privately owned). Prior to this, he served as Head of BASF Construction Chemicals Business Unit in Asia Pacific and President of Evonik Construction Chemicals Business Unit in Asia, where he played a key role in the company's expansion (2001-2006). Boris has also worked with KKR and McKinsey, holding an MBA from INSEAD and a PhD in chemistry from TU Berlin.

Christian Hammel

Chief Financial Officer

Christian Hammel serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Master Builders Solutions. Prior to joining the company, he held leadership roles at BBS Automation, a portfolio company of EQT, where he served as Group CFO and Managing Director. His extensive financial leadership experience includes positions such as CFO and Executive Board Member at Renk AG, and CFO and Executive Board Member at MAN Truck & Bus Austria AG. Christian began his career as the Head of Controlling and Quality Management at Sixt Leasing SE. He holds a Master of Business Administration (Dipl. Kfm.) from the University of Regensburg.

Dr. Karsten Eller

Chief Operating Officer

Bringing over 30 years of extensive experience in the chemicals industry to Master Builders Solutions, Karsten Eller holds the role of Chief Operating Officer. He held pivotal management positions within the Construction Chemicals business at Evonik/Degussa and BASF before joining Master Builders Solutions. Previously, Karsten served as COO of Beckers Group for over 10 years, a privately owned global paint company specializing in Coil Coatings and holding key positions in Special Coatings and Consumer Design Finishes. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from TU Berlin and completed a Postdoctorate in chemistry at Yale University.

Dr. Julian Horstkotte

Chief Transformation Officer

As the Chief Transformation Officer at Master Builders Solutions, Julian Horstkotte leads strategic initiatives to foster the company's growth and expansion. His impactful tenure in the same role at MBCC Group from 2020 to 2023 was instrumental in establishing the company as a global industry leader. With over a decade of specialized experience in the building materials sector, Julian brings valuable insights to his role. He began his career at the Boston Consulting Group, where he served as a Partner for ten years. Julian holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management.

Extended Leadership Team

  • Heike Decker

    Chief Human Resources Officer

    Global

  • Dr. Bruce ​Christensen

    Cluster Head

    Americas

  • Thomas Breiner

    Cluster Head

    Central & Eastern Europe

  • Luis ​Mendoza

    Cluster Head

    South Europe & Nordics

  • Guillaume​ Francqueville

    Cluster Head

    West Europe

  • Dr. Diego ​Martinez-Velandia​

    Cluster Head

    Australia & New Zealand