ABB has a new Head of Communications

Schmidt succeeds Kurt Loetscher, who took on a new role at the Group in May and remains responsible for Public Affairs in Switzerland, as well as Hans Imboden, who has been interim Head of Communications since May. 

At the same time, Michelle Roth will take over the operational management of the communications department as Deputy Head of Communications in addition to her role as Head of External Communications, while Felix Fischer will remain responsible for internal communications.

Thomas Schmidt is in charge of global public affairs activities at Group level. He also took over as Head of Communications for the European region on August 1 and is a member of the European management team. Schmidt was previously responsible for the ABB Group's media office for more than 15 years. He holds degrees in economics from the University of Aberdeen and the London School of Economics.

Michelle Roth has been Head of External Communications at ABB Switzerland since 2012; she was previously Head of Public Relations at Axpo Holding. She has a degree in German Studies and Communication and Media Studies from the University of Basel.