Ning Gaoning

He was born in Binzhou, Shandong on 9 November 1958.{{Cite book |last=Leutert |first=Wendy |title=China's State-Owned Enterprises: Leadership, Reform, and Internationalization |date=2024 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-009-48654-5 |edition= |series=Business and Public Policy Series |location=Cambridge |doi=10.1017/9781009486576}}{{Rp|page=111}} He graduated from Shandong University with a bachelor's degree in economics and earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz School of Business.{{Rp|page=111}}

After returning to China from the United States, Ning joined a central state-owned enterprise, China Resources.{{Rp|page=111}} Ning eventually became its Chairman.{{Rp|page=111}} During his career at China Resources, he led over 30 major mergers and acquisitions.{{Rp|page=111}}

In 2004, the Central Organization Department transferred him to be the Chairman of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO).{{Rp|page=111}} Ning initiated approximately 50 mergers while leading COFCO.{{Rp|page=111}}

He is also the Chairman of Hong Kong Building and Loan Agency Limited and Deputy Chairman of China Vanke company Limited. Ning has been recognized five times as one of the 25 most influential business leaders by Chinese Entrepreneur magazine.[http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=1865 Lynn Shea and Brittney Gillison, University names 12 new legacy laureates, University Times, University of Pittsburgh, Oct 27, 2008, accessdate=10-31-2008] In 2009, Ning was named Asia Business Leader of the Year by CNBC Asia Pacific.{{cite news | url=http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=4378 | title=Pitt Alumnus Frank Gaoning Ning Named Asia Business Leader of Year | date=2009-12-07 | newspaper=Pitt Chronicle | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | location=Pittsburgh, PA | volume=10 | issue=33 | accessdate=2009-12-07}} In November 2012 Ning was elected as a member of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

In January 2016 he was succeeded as COFCO's head by Zhao Shuanglian.{{Citation| last =Yap| first =Chuin-Wei| date =January 5, 2016| title =China Names Zhao Shuanglian as Cofco Chairman, Replacing Ning Gaoning| publisher =The Wall Street Journal| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-names-zhao-shuanglian-as-cofco-chairman-replacing-ning-gaoning-1451998183?mod=ST1| access-date =April 14, 2023}} That year, Ning became the Chairman and Party Secretary of Sinochem.{{Rp|page=111}}

In 2017, Ning implemented an "in science we trust" strategy for Sinochem.{{Rp|page=111}} Through this strategy, Sinochem focused on innovation, industrial upgrading, and investment.{{Rp|page=111}} The enterprise focused on its core business of petrochemicals and chemicals, investing, and a limited diversification in agriculture, real estate, and finance.{{Rp|pages=111-112}}

Ning was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Syngenta on 16 July 2018.{{cite news | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180716005926/en/Syngenta-Board-Directors | title=Changes to the Syngenta Board of Directors | date=2018-07-17 | newspaper=Business Wire | accessdate=2018-07-17}}

When ChemChina's chairman Ren Jianxin retired in July 2018, Ning was appointed chairman of ChemChina, while retaining his chairmanship of Sinochem Group.{{Citation | date =July 13, 2018| title =China names Sinochem Chairman Ning as ChemChina chairman| publisher =Reuters| url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chemchina-m-a-sinochem/china-names-sinochem-chairman-ning-as-chemchina-chairman-idUSKBN1K316G| access-date =April 14, 2023}} In September 2020 he confirmed that ChemChina and Sinochem Group were discussing a merger. At the time, he was chairman of both companies.{{Citation| last =Fukumoto| first =Yuki| date =September 3, 2020| title=China forges ahead with $146bn chemical megamerger| publisher =Nikkei Asia| url =https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-deals/China-forges-ahead-with-146bn-chemical-megamerger| access-date =April 14, 2023

}} As a consequence of his resignation on October 8, 2022 from Sinochem holdings, Pirelli & C. S.p.A. announced he'd also resigned from all roles held on the company's board of directors.{{Citation | date =October 10, 2022| title =Pirelli to appoint Li Fanrong as chairman since Ning Gaoning has resigned | publisher =Economic Times

| url =https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/tyres/pirelli-to-appoint-li-fanrong-as-chairman-since-ning-gaoning-has-resigned/94760934| access-date =April 14, 2023

}} In March 2023, he was succeeded as chairman of Sinochem Holdings by Li Fanrong. Ning remained chairman of Syngenta.{{Citation| last =Liu| first =Pearl| date =September 12, 2022| title =China looks to career engineer Li Fanrong to steer Syngenta's US$10 billion Shanghai IPO | publisher =South China Morning Post | url =https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3192175/china-looks-career-engineer-li-fanrong-steer-syngentas-us10| access-date =April 14, 2023}}

Ning has made frequent media appearances.{{Rp|page=111}} He has written numerous books, including a collection of essays titled Why?{{Rp|page=111}}

{{Reflist}}

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{{s-bef|before=Zhou Mingchen ({{zh|s=周明臣|labels=no}})}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of COFCO Group|years=2004–2016}}

{{s-aft|after={{ill|Zhao Shuanglian|zh|赵双连}}}}

{{s-bef|before={{ill|Liu Deshu|zh|刘德树}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of Sinochem|years=2016–2018}}

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{{s-bef|before=Ren Jianxin}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of ChemChina|years=2018–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Position revoked}}

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{{China Resources}}

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Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:Businesspeople from Shandong

Category:China Resources people

Category:COFCO Group people

Category:Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business alumni

Category:People from Binzhou

Category:Sinochem Group people

Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni