MilliporeSigma named a ‘New Englander of the Year’

Chris Ross is interim CEO of MilliporeSigma

MilliporeSigma, the international life sciences manufacturer with a significant site in Jaffrey, NH, will be among the six honorees at this year’s 2020 “New Englander of the Year” awards presentation, to be held virtually this year on Monday, Oct. 26.

The awards are presented each year by the New England Council to honor residents or natives of the New England states for their commitment and contributions in their fields of work, as well as their leadership and impact on the New England region’s quality of life and economy.

MilliporeSigma, the $7.6 billion life science business of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, has some 22,000 employees worldwide, including approximately 1,900 employees across Massachusetts, and a large facility in Jaffrey.

The New England Council said the company is being honored for the “vital role“ it has played in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing “critical raw materials, technologies and services to support the development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, including for more than 35 testing solutions, nearly 50 different vaccines, and 20 monoclonal antibody, plasma products and antivirals. Interim CEO Chris Ross will accept the award on the company’s behalf.

Other award recipients to be recognized on Oct. 26 are:

• Marianne Harrison, president and CEO of John Hancock
• Udit Batra, president and CEO of Waters Corp. and former CEO of MilliporeSigma
• Ibram X. Kendi, founder and director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research
• U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts
• Samantha Power, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

“This year’s honorees have each made valuable and meaningful contributions to addressing some of the biggest challenges facing our region and our nation in 2020,” said James T. Brett, president and CEO of the council. “From combatting the Covid-19 pandemic and supporting our region’s and our nation’s recovery from the resulting economic downturn to safeguarding human rights across the country and around the world to fighting for foster diversity, inclusion, and equality in our communities and workplaces, each of these honorees has worked tirelessly to make New England a better place to live, work, and thrive.”

The council traditionally presents the New Englander of the Year Awards each fall at its annual dinner in Boston, but because of the pandemic, it will present the awards during a virtual program that begins at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.

For more information or to register, visit newenglandcouncil.com.