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Appointments

Surviving a family business as a non-family executive

December 1, 2017

Heinz Leopold, who left his executive job at Unilever to join German coffee and retail giant Tchibo as a director, spoke to brand consultant Gilmar Wendt about the challenges faced by executives who take up the mantle in family businesses.

Heinz Leopold said his experience in 2008 of joining Tchibo, a family business now turning over more than €3.3 billion a year ($3.9 billion), was “like marrying”.

FB Roundup: CMA CGM, Koch brothers, and Bharti family

November 30, 2017

CMA completes father-son transition, Koch brothers in controversial takeover, and Bharti family donate 10% of wealth

CMA completes father-son transition

Rodolphe Saadé has taken over as chairman of container shipping firm CMA CGM, the business which his father founded and which made his family billionaires.

Lebanese-French businessman Jacques Saadé founded CMA container shipping in Marseille in 1978, later acquiring logistics company CGM. The Saadé family, worth an estimated $1.86 billion according to Forbes, own 75% of CMA CGM.

Kleinwort Hambros chairman succeeds Sandaire founder

August 16, 2017

The founder of Britain’s trailblazing family office Sandaire has been succeeded by the former chairman of Kleinwort Hambros, the UK wealth management wing of Societe Generale.

The founder of Britain’s trailblazing family office Sandaire has been succeeded by the former chairman of Kleinwort Hambros, the UK wealth management wing of Societe Generale.

Lego to build digital future with new chief executive

August 11, 2017

Lego has ousted its chief executive after eight months, trading him in for a younger toy boy with technology experience, as the company moves to be more competitive in the digitally-focussed play market.

New Ford chief executive to drive push towards EVs and robotics

May 23, 2017

Ford Motor Company has replaced chief executive Mark Fields, following poor sales and a 40% drop in the company’s share price during his three-year tenure.

Ford Motor Company has replaced chief executive Mark Fields, following poor sales and a 40% drop in the company’s share price during his three-year tenure.

Fields has been succeeded by Jim Hackett, a 62-year-old who has headed Ford’s Smart Mobility LLC since March 2016.

Fields’ 28-year career with Ford ended on Monday, as the car company announced a series of leadership changes, part of a wider move to cut 1,400 jobs, about 10% of staff.

Family unblocks Lego potential with change at the top

December 6, 2016

The Danish family owners of the $5 billion Lego Group have appointed the non-family executive who quadrupled revenue in less than 10 years to a new effort to develop the long-term potential of the brand.

The Kirk Kristiansen family, owners of arguably the biggest toymaker in the world, announced today they have decided to establish the Lego Brand Group.

Ones to watch: family business appointments from the last year

January 11, 2016

Several next gens were appointed to the helm of their family businesses in 2015. From Michael Hill International in Australasia to France's Pernod Ricard, we look at whose been left in charge.

Emma Hill, Michael Hill International (New Zealand/Australia)
Promoted: November 2015

John Fredriksen appoints new CEO to family office

June 3, 2015

Oil and shipping billionaire John Fredriksen has appointed a new president to head up his family office, Fredriksen Group.

Oil and shipping billionaire John Fredriksen has appointed a new president to head up his family office, Fredriksen Group.

Jo Lunder, who used to be president of multi-generational Norwegian family business Ferd, will begin managing the Fredriksen family’s financial and industrial assets from September. He will report to Fredriksen, and also work closely with his twin daughters, Kathrine and Cecile.

Third-gen promoted at Hong Kong’s New World Development

March 26, 2015

Hong Kong family business New World Development has announced third-gen Adrian Cheng will become executive vice chairman next week, indicting he could be the anointed heir to run the property empire.

Hong Kong family business New World Development has announced third-gen Adrian Cheng will become executive vice chairman next week, indicting he could be the anointed heir to run the property empire.

Cheng, 34, sits on the board of directors with his sister, Sonia, 33, who is chief executive of subsidiary Rosewood Hotel Group. Their brother Brian, 31, sits on the board of another subsidiary, NWS Holdings.

The siblings’ father, Henry Cheng, is chairman of New World Development.

Audrey Baxter returns as CEO of family’s food group

February 27, 2015

Scotland’s Baxter Food Group, known for its soups and chutneys, has returned to the sole charge of fourth-gen businesswoman Audrey Baxter, following the sudden departure of a non-family chief executive.

Baxter, who has been chairwoman since 2002, will take over from Bill King, who had been chief executive since 2009 and joined the company in 2002.

The announcement coincided with the release of the company’s 2014 results, and news that it has acquired US convenience food and military ration company Wornick.