Shock as Andreas Pfluger leaves Lindt

Lindt&Sprüngli has announced the departure of Andreas Pfluger, integration head of Russell Stover, who has been with the company since 1994.

Pfluger, who was thought to be in the running as Lindt’s next CEO, was successful in the integration of Russell Stover after Lindt acquired the traditional US family business in July 2014.

In 1997, Pfluger took over responsibility as CEO for building up the subsidiary in Australia. He then held further positions as CEO of the French subsidiary and of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in California.

Pfluger returned to Lindt’s Swiss headquarters to work for Extended Group Management and was promoted to member of Group Management in 2013, where he was responsible for the integration of Russell Stover and the development of specific markets.

There is no news of the reasons for Pfluger’s sudden departure but speculation suggest he fancies his chances of becoming the next CFO at Hershey,  after its current CFO, Patricia Little, recently announced she was leaving the post.