Lindt shakes up top management ahead of CEO change

By Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Lindt CEO Ernst Tanner (pictured) to step down in October as the firm makes changes to management team. Photo:Lindt
Lindt CEO Ernst Tanner (pictured) to step down in October as the firm makes changes to management team. Photo:Lindt

Related tags Organic growth Management occupations President Ceo Lindt

Lindt has appointed its next CFO and will add three new members to its group management team.

The Swiss firm has named Martin Hug, current CFO of Lindt’s US subsidiary Ghirardelli, as Lindt Group CFO.

He takes over from Dr Dieter Weisskopf, who was named Lindt group CEO in June this year.

Lindt previously said its current president and CEO, Ernst Tanner, would leave his post as CEO to focus on his role as executive vice chairman by the end of 2016.

The Lindor and Excellence maker said yesterday that change would take effect on October 1, 2016.

Weisskopf joined Lindt in 1995 as head of finance, HR, legal affairs and purchasing. Since 2004, he has also been responsible for sustainability and manufacturing.

Lindt in H1 2016

Lindt recorded 4.4% organic sales growth in its first half 2016 results, announced in July.​ ​But it warned that many major chocolate markets were "stagnating". The firm expects full-year organic growth of 6 to 8%. 

Head of sales and marketing resigns

Lindt yesterday also said its head of international marketing, sales and global retail, Uwe Sommer, will resign from its group management team in April 2017 to begin an early retirement.

The firm will add three new members to its group management team from January 2017: its new group CFO, Martin Hug; Lindt France CEO, Alain Germiquet; and head of group operations, Guido Steiner.

Germiquet will take over some responsibilities from Sommer, including becoming the group’s international sales head. He will also take charge of operations in several countries beyond France.

Younger generation

“By handing over responsibility to a younger generation of managers with strong track records, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group guarantees continuity playing an important role for the company,”​ said the company in a release.

By January next year, Lindt’s group management team will be comprised of:

  • Dr Dieter Weisskopf, Group CEO
  • Andreas Pfluger, president & CEO Russell Stover
  • Rolf Fallegger, International Marketing, Global Retail
  • Kamillo Kitzmantel, CEO Switzerland
  • Dr Adalbert Lechner, CEO Germany
  • Alain Germiquet, International Sales
  • Martin Hug, Group CFO
  • Guido Steiner, International Operations

Related topics Manufacturers Chocolate Lindt Premium

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