Lindt CEO Weisskopf set to retire after 27 years with the company

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Dr Dieter Weisskopf. Pic: Lindt & Sprüngli

Lindt & Sprüngli’s CEO Dr Dieter Weisskopf has announced he is stepping down from the role after 27 years with the Switzerland-based chocolate maker.

Weisskopf will be succeeded by Dr Adalbert Lechner, the CEO of the company’s German subsidiary and a member of Lindt’s executive management team.

Before becoming CEO six years ago, Weisskopf, who is retiring later this year, was the company’s Chief Financial Officer.

The appointment of Lechner will be proposed by the company’s board of directors at its AGM next month.

Ernst Tanner, executive chairman of the company’s board of directors and Weisskopf’s predecessor, said: “Dieter Weisskopf has contributed significantly to the success of our group. Under his leadership, the company recorded a successful and sustainable performance. Over the past six years, he and the management team have positioned the group very well for future global challenges, both strategically and organisationally, as well as in the important area of sustainability.

“The balance sheet and income statement have been further strengthened, and regions with faster growth have been expanded. All the prerequisites for a continuation of our success story have thus been met.”

Weisskopf said: “Lindt & Sprüngli is in very good shape, so this is an ideal time to hand over the leadership to new hands.”