Emmi elects Ricarda Demarmels as CEO
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Ricarda Demarmels, Chief Financial Officer of Emmi Group, the Swiss dairy business, will succeed CEO Urs Riedener on 1 January 2023. After leading Emmi for 14 years, Urs Riedener will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year as announced. He has been nominated by the Board of Directors as successor to Konrad Graber, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who will not be standing for election. With these appointments, the Emmi Board of Directors is underlining its commitment to continuity in the management and direction of the company and in its corporate culture. |
The Swiss born Ricarda Demarmels has been Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Emmi Group and a member of Group Management since June 2019. Before joining the leading manufacturer of high-quality dairy products in Switzerland, she was CFO of Orior, which is also a stock listed company, and held various management and consulting positions at investment and strategy consulting companies. Ricarda Demarmels said: “Emmi to me, has always been a matter of the heart. I’m delighted to be able to drive forward the successful development of the Emmi Group in this role of responsibility, backed by a strong management team and over 9,000 passionate employees, and I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me.” Konrad Graber, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emmi, commented: “Just as with the setting of our strategic direction, we are also taking a long-term approach to the company’s growth and development, which includes filling management positions. The Board of Directors is delighted that, following an intensive and very comprehensive evaluation and recruitment process, we’re able to entrust Ricarda Demarmels with the management of Emmi, a person who is ideally suited to succeed Urs Riedener. With this excellent appointment for the future, we are ensuring continuity in management and in Emmi’s recently confirmed strategic direction.” “Emmi has a unique corporate culture and is on a very firm footing, both strategically and operationally. In conjunction with this strong foundation, Ricarda Demarmels will also be able to fully leverage her skills and potential as a guarantor of Emmi’s successful future development,” said Urs Riedener, CEO of Emmi Group. Emmi will now initiate the process of filling the CFO position and implement the transfer of responsibilities by the end of the year. Setting the course for the long term at the top As announced in September 2021, after 17 years as a member of Emmi’s Board of Directors and 14 years as its Chairman, Konrad Graber will step down from his roles on the board at the General Meeting 2023. The Board of Directors has nominated Urs Riedener as his successor. Under his 14-year leadership as CEO, Emmi has evolved from a Switzerland-oriented company into a successful international group with a strong local presence in 15 countries. During this period, sales rose steadily from just under CHF 2.7 billion in 2008 to more than CHF 3.9 billion today, based on a diversified product and country portfolio and differentiated brand concepts, and thanks to a high level of innovative strength and selected acquisitions. The steady improvement of the operating results is proof of a successful strategy and consistent implementation. Responsible and successful roadmap for the future With a view to its long-term success and its sustainable and profitable business development, Emmi has recently honed its strategy along its existing strengths. The Emmi Purpose expresses Emmi’s passion for creating the best dairy moments together today and for generations to come. The Emmi Group strategy comprises five core elements: These range from strengthening its position in the home market of Switzerland and continuing the focus on international expansion, to consistently developing profitable, clearly defined niche businesses with leading positions in ready-to-drink coffee, specialty cheeses, chilled premium desserts and plant-based dairy alternatives. In addition to these market-related elements, excellence in action and sustainability also form part of the updated Group strategy. |
