Linde (Nasdaq: LIN) sets CEO as Chair and appoints new COO

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Linde plc reported upcoming leadership changes at the board and executive levels. Stephen F. Angel, currently Chairman of the Board, announced he will retire from Linde’s Board of Directors effective January 31, 2026. Upon his retirement, CEO Sanjiv Lamba will also become Chairman of the Board, while Robert Wood will continue to serve as Lead Independent Director, preserving an independent leadership role on the board.

Linde also announced that its Board has appointed Sean Durbin, currently Executive Vice President – North America, as Chief Operating Officer effective October 1, 2025, reporting to the CEO. Durbin has held senior roles across North America and EMEA and has been with Praxair and Linde-related businesses since 1993, bringing long operational and regional leadership experience into the new COO position.

Insights

Corporate governance and leadership analyst

Linde aligns CEO–Chairman roles and adds an experienced COO while retaining a lead independent director.

The company is transitioning from Stephen F. Angel as Chairman to CEO Sanjiv Lamba holding both CEO and Chairman roles after January 31, 2026. This concentrates formal authority in one person, a common structure for large industrial companies, while maintaining Robert Wood as Lead Independent Director to provide a counterbalance and independent board leadership.

The appointment of Sean Durbin as COO effective October 1, 2025 adds a clearly defined operational second-in-command reporting to the CEO. His long tenure since 1993 and prior roles leading North America, EMEA, and global functions suggest continuity in operational strategy. Future disclosures in company filings may provide more detail on how responsibilities are divided among the CEO, Chairman, COO, and Lead Independent Director under this new structure.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): September 29, 2025

Linde plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ireland		001-38730		98-1448883
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10 Riverview Dr. Danbury, Connecticut United States 06810	Forge 43 Church Street West Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

+44 1483 242200

(Registrant’s telephone numbers, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary shares (€0.001 nominal value per share)	LIN	Nasdaq Stock Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) On September 29, 2025, Stephen F. Angel, Chairman of the Board of Linde plc (“Linde”), announced that he will retire from Linde’s Board of Directors effective January 31, 2026.

In connection with Mr. Angel’s retirement, Linde’s Board of Directors appointed Sanjiv Lamba, Linde’s CEO, to the additional position of Chairman of the Board effective upon Mr. Angel’s retirement on January 31, 2026. Robert Wood will continue to serve as Lead Independent Director when Mr. Lamba becomes Chairman of the Board.

(c) On September 29, 2025, Linde announced that Linde’s Board of Directors has appointed Sean Durbin, currently EVP-North America, as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of Linde reporting to Linde’s CEO effective October 1, 2025.

Durbin, 54, has served as Executive Vice President, North America effective September 1, 2023. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President, EMEA from April 2021 to September 2023 and Senior Vice President, Global Functions from July 2020. Mr. Durbin joined Praxair, Inc. in 1993 and served in various roles across operations, engineering, project management, business development and sales. In recent years, he has held leadership positions including Business President, Region Europe South from 2019 to 2020, and President, Praxair Canada Inc. from 2013 to 2019.

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith:

Exhibit No.		Description
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		LINDE PLC
Date: September 29, 2025		By:	/s/ Guillermo Bichara
		Name:	Guillermo Bichara
		Title:	Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer

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FAQ

What leadership changes did Linde (LIN) announce in this 8-K?

Linde announced that Stephen F. Angel will retire from its Board of Directors effective January 31, 2026. Upon his retirement, CEO Sanjiv Lamba will also become Chairman of the Board, and Sean Durbin has been appointed Chief Operating Officer effective October 1, 2025.

When will Stephen F. Angel retire from Lindes Board of Directors?

Stephen F. Angel will retire from Lindes Board of Directors effective January 31, 2026, as disclosed in the report.

Who will be Lindes Chairman of the Board after Stephen F. Angel retires?

After Stephen F. Angels retirement on January 31, 2026, Lindes CEO Sanjiv Lamba will take on the additional role of Chairman of the Board.

Will Linde retain an independent board leadership role after the CEO becomes Chairman?

Yes. When CEO Sanjiv Lamba becomes Chairman, Robert Wood will continue to serve as Lead Independent Director, providing an independent leadership role on the board.

Who is Sean Durbin and what role did Linde (LIN) assign to him?

Sean Durbin, age 54, previously Executive Vice President, North America, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Linde effective October 1, 2025, reporting to the CEO. He has held senior roles in North America, EMEA, and global functions since joining Praxair in 1993.

Does this Linde 8-K include any financial statements or transaction details?

The report focuses on board and executive leadership changes and lists a cover page interactive data file as an exhibit. It does not present financial statements or major transaction details in the provided content.