Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation have appointed Matthias Altendorf as the new Chair, succeeding Thomas Thune Andersen at the end of his tenure in June 2027. Altendorf brings extensive global leadership experience from Endress+Hauser and is expected to support LR’s focus on digitalisation, innovation, and maritime safety.
London | June 9, 2026 – Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation have announced the appointment of Matthias Altendorf as the new Chair of their respective boards, marking a significant leadership transition for one of the maritime industry’s most established classification and assurance organisations.
Altendorf will succeed current Chair Thomas Thune Andersen, who is expected to complete his tenure in June 2027.
The appointment brings to Lloyd’s Register more than three decades of global leadership experience across industrial manufacturing, engineering, and digital transformation, reinforcing the organisation’s focus on innovation, safety, and maritime decarbonisation.
Extensive Global Leadership Experience
Matthias Altendorf, aged 59, joins Lloyd’s Register following a distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years with the Switzerland-based Endress+Hauser Group, a global leader in process automation and measurement technology.
During his tenure, Altendorf held several senior leadership roles, including serving as Chief Executive Officer from 2014 to 2023 and later as Chair of the company’s Supervisory Board.
He began his career as a toolmaking apprentice and progressed through the organisation to lead its global operations, overseeing international growth and technological innovation across industrial markets.
His experience includes close engagement with the shipbuilding sector as well as offshore and onshore energy industries, where he was a strong advocate for digitalisation, automation, and connected industrial solutions.
Strengthening Lloyd’s Register’s Strategic Vision
Altendorf’s appointment is seen as aligning with Lloyd’s Register’s broader strategic direction, particularly its focus on integrating classification, digital services, and advisory capabilities across the maritime value chain.
Through his industrial background, he is expected to bring expertise in digital transformation and customer-focused innovation, supporting LR’s efforts to enhance its “Power of Three” proposition across vessels, voyages, and people.
In addition to his corporate leadership roles, Altendorf is the founder of Bionic Leadership, an organisation focused on human-centred management approaches and the evolution of leadership and organisational systems.
Leadership Commentary
Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd’s Register, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Altendorf’s global experience and leadership credentials.
“I am delighted to welcome Matthias to LR. He brings with him a record of truly inspirational global leadership,” Brown said. “Matthias’ vast and varied experience will be a tremendous benefit to LR as we continue to develop and evolve our services to meet the needs of our clients and colleagues across an ever-evolving maritime industry.”
Commitment to Maritime Safety and Innovation
Commenting on his appointment, Matthias Altendorf said he was honoured to join an organisation with a long-standing legacy in maritime safety and technical excellence.
“As the incoming Chair of Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, I am honoured by the trust the Trustees have placed in me,” he said. “Lloyd’s Register has played a vital role in maritime safety for more than 260 years, supporting shipowners and the wider shipping industry through technical expertise, independent assurance and innovation.”
He added that the organisation’s combination of scientific depth, public purpose, and global reach was particularly compelling, and expressed his intention to support its mission with a focus on responsibility, clarity, and long-term impact.
Transition in Leadership
Altendorf will formally take over as Chair following the conclusion of Thomas Thune Andersen’s tenure in June 2027, ensuring a structured transition period at the governance level of both Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
The appointment underscores Lloyd’s Register’s continued focus on strengthening leadership capability as the organisation expands its role in supporting the maritime industry’s energy transition, digital transformation, and safety standards.
As global shipping faces increasing regulatory and technological change, the leadership transition is expected to reinforce Lloyd’s Register’s position at the centre of maritime assurance, advisory, and innovation services.
About Lloyd’s Register (LR)
Lloyd’s Register (LR) was founded in 1760 as a marine classification society and today stands as one of the world’s foremost professional services providers for engineering and technology. Operating in over 75 countries, LR is committed to enhancing the safety, sustainability, and performance of critical infrastructure worldwide. LR’s profits support the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a global charity driving research, education, and public engagement in engineering and safety. Every project undertaken by LR is driven by its enduring purpose:
“Working together for a safer world.”
Source: Lloyd’s Register