Ning Gaoning
Ning Gaoning | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1958 Binzhou, Shandong, China |
| Other names | Frank Ning |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Chairman of Sinochem, Chairman of Syngenta, Chairman of ChemChina |
| Notable work | Why? |
Ning Gaoning (; born 9 November 1958), also referred to as Frank Ning, is a prominent Chinese executive in the manufacturing sector.
In 2023, he stepped down as the chairman of Sinochem but continued to hold the position of chairman at Syngenta.
Biographical details
Ning was born on 9 November 1958 in Binzhou, Shandong. He obtained a bachelor's degree in economics from Shandong University and later completed an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh's Katz School of Business.
Upon his return to China, Ning joined the central state-owned enterprise China Resources, where he eventually rose to the role of Chairman. During his leadership, he orchestrated more than 30 significant mergers and acquisitions.
In 2004, the Central Organization Department appointed him as Chairman of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO), a position from which he oversaw approximately 50 mergers.
Ning also holds the chairmanship of Hong Kong Building and Loan Agency Limited and serves as Deputy Chairman of China Vanke company Limited. He has been recognized five times among the top 25 most influential business leaders by Chinese Entrepreneur magazine and was honored as Asia Business Leader of the Year by CNBC Asia Pacific in 2009. In November 2012, he was elected to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
In January 2016, Zhao Shuanglian succeeded Ning as head of COFCO. Subsequently, Ning assumed the roles of Chairman and Party Secretary at Sinochem.
Under Ning's leadership in 2017, Sinochem adopted an "in science we trust" approach, emphasizing innovation, industrial transformation, and strategic investments. The company focused its core efforts on petrochemicals and chemicals while expanding into agriculture, real estate, and financial services.
On 16 July 2018, Ning was elected Chairman of the Board at Syngenta. Following the retirement of ChemChina's chairman Ren Jianxin that same month, Ning took on the chairmanship of ChemChina while maintaining his position at Sinochem. In September 2020, he publicly confirmed ongoing merger negotiations between ChemChina and Sinochem Group.
After resigning from Sinochem Holdings on 8 October 2022, Ning also left the board of Pirelli & C. S.p.A. In March 2023, Li Fanrong succeeded him as chairman of Sinochem Holdings; however, Ning retained his role as chairman at Syngenta.
Media
Ning has frequently appeared in media outlets and authored multiple publications, including a collection of essays entitled Why?.