Ringier adjusts management structure and focuses on publishing and marketplaces
As part of its transformation into an international digital media company and its investments in digital business models over the past few years, Ringier is restructuring its Group Executive Board (GEB). Martin Werfeli and Jan O. Frøshaug are stepping down from the Board of Directors.
As of October 1, 2017, Ringier's Group Executive Board will be organized along the two central business areas of Publishing and Marketplaces and will be structured as follows in the future:
- Marc Walder, CEO
- Ralph Büchi, COO Ringier, Publishing
- Robin Lingg, Marketplaces
- Annabella Bassler, CFO
- Xiaoqun Clever, Chief Technology & Data Officer
- Alexander Theobald, COO Switzerland and Managing Director Blick Group
Marc Walder, CEO of Ringier, in a press release: "With this adjustment, we are focusing even more on our two main operational business areas of Publishing and Marketplaces, where we want to continue to grow. In both areas, the market, technology and business models continue to change rapidly. With the new organization, we are taking the resulting challenges into account."
Ralph Büchi's publishing responsibilities will continue to include Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland and Ringier Axel Springer Media. As of March 1, 2018, Büchi will also take over the publishing business in Africa and Asia.
Robin Lingg will be responsible for the digital marketplaces of the Ringier Group, including Jobcloud and Scout24 Switzerland. Robin Lingg will continue to serve as CEO Ringier Africa and Asia until March 1, 2018.
Thomas Kaiser, who as CEO Ringier Digital has been largely responsible for the successful expansion of the Marketplaces and e-commerce portfolio since 2011, is devoting himself to a new entrepreneurial task as part of the digital ventures business initiated by Ringier two years ago. This formally entails his resignation from the GEB.
Personnel change on the Ringier Board of Directors
In addition to the reshuffle on the Group Executive Board, there will also be changes on Ringier's Board of Directors. Martin Werfeli and Jan O. Frøshaug are leaving Ringier's Board of Directors.
Martin Werfeli has held various positions at Ringier for 40 years. In 1977, the now 61-year-old joined the company and held various positions in financial accounting before being appointed Head of Group Finance and a member of the Group Executive Board in 1996 and becoming Chairman of the Group Executive Board in 2003. In 2009, he relinquished operational management of Ringier and joined the Ringier Board of Directors as a member.
Martin Werfeli is stepping down as a member of the Board of Directors. At the same time, he is stepping down from the Board of Directors of the newspaper printing company Ringier Print Adligenswil.
Martin Werfeli will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swissprinters and as Vice Chairman of the Ringier Pension Fund Foundation and the Hans Ringier Foundation. He will also remain associated with the Ringier family as an advisor, including as a member of the Annette Ringier Foundation.
Jan O. Frøshaug is also stepping down from Ringie's Board of Directors. A native of Norway, he had been a member of the board since 1995. For a total of 20 years, Frøshaug was COO of Great Nordic, a listed international telecom conglomerate, and CEO of the Danish media group Egmont. The 74-year-old also worked for several years in the private equity industry and today serves as a board member and advisor to various European companies.
