FDBusiness.com

Swiss confectionery group Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli has announced the future structure of its Group Management. Ernst Tanner is handing over his function as CEO to the long-standing Group Chief Financial Officer, Dr Dieter Weisskopf (pictured) and will continue to play an active role as Executive Chairman. The Group Management will be expanded by experienced executives from within the group. 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.

Ernst Tanner hands over the mandate as CEO on October 1, 2016 and will concentrate in his role as Executive Chairman on the long-term strategy of the group. His successor, Dr Dieter Weisskopf joined the Lindt & Sprüngli Group in 1995 as Head of Finance, HR, Legal and Purchasing, and since 2004 he has also been responsible for manufacturing and sustainability. He has over 22 years’ experience as a member of Group Management.

Three new members will join the Group Management.

Martin Hug, CFO at Ghirardelli, will become Group Chief Financial Officer. He started at Lindt & Sprüngli in 2004 as Senior Corporate Controller. Only a short time later he was promoted to CFO at Lindt & Sprüngli UK. Since 2011, he holds the position as CFO at Ghirardelli.

Alain Germiquet, currently CEO at Lindt & Sprüngli France, will assume responsibility for several countries and International Sales. He is with Lindt & Sprüngli since 2007. First, as CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli UK and since 2009 as CEO at Lindt & Sprüngli France.

Guido Steiner will continue to be in charge of Group Operations. He began his career at Lindt & Sprüngli back in 1992 as Group Production Planning Manager. From 1998 until 2003 he was Vice President Operations at the Lindt & Sprüngli subsidiary in Stratham, USA. Since 2003, he is back at the Headquarters as Vice President Operations.