Brown succeeds Michael Roman, who has been appointed to the role of executive chairman of the 3M board of directors, also effective 1 May.

“Bill’s [William’s] strong track record as a CEO for a global technology company makes him the right leader for 3M,” Roman said. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, innovation, and operational excellence to 3M. I look forward to working with him to build on our momentum in my new role as executive chairman.”

Brown said he was excited for the opportunity to lead this iconic global company. 

“The company has made significant positive changes under Mike’s leadership, and I am looking forward to building on that progress as CEO as 3M continues to deliver for its customers, shareholders, employees, and communities around the globe,” Brown said.

Roman will continue to chair 3M’s board and provide insights from his more than 35 years with 3M to the company’s strategic direction. He has served as 3M’s chief executive since July 2018.

Meanwhile, Solventum completed its spin-off from 3M on 1 April 2024 and has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange as “SOLV”.

3M’s board of directors approved the spin-off last month.

“The spin will unlock our agility, enhanced focus and targeted capital allocation, which better positions us to drive strong value creation over time while advancing our mission to enable better, smarter, safer healthcare to improve lives,” Solventum chief executive officer Bryan Hanson said.