At Deutsche Lufthansa, almost the entire management team is being replaced. Four of the six board members are leaving the group almost at the same time, and the supervisory board is also eliminating one board position entirely. Only the chairman of the board, Carsten Spohr, and the previous head of human resources, Michael Niggemann, remain. Like that The company surprisingly announced on Thursday evening, the supervisory board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has decided on a “far-reaching restructuring of the board”. From July 1st, the management board will only have five members instead of the previous six.
“After successfully overcoming the Corona crisis, the subsequent recovery in air traffic and the economic turnaround, the Lufthansa Group is starting the next phase of its corporate development with a realignment of the Board of Directors,” said a statement explaining the reasons. The restructuring coincides with the departure of four board members.
The head of the supervisory board hopes for a “strong team understanding”
According to schedule, the terms of office of Harry Hohmeister, Board Member for “Global Markets and Network Management,” and Detlef Kayser, Board Member for “Fleet and Technology” end at the end of June. At the same time, according to the information, Christina Foerster, board member for “brand management and sustainability” will be leaving at the end of June and financial director Remco Steenbergen at the beginning of May “by mutual agreement”.
Michael Niggemann, Director of Human Resources and Infrastructure, will then temporarily take over the finance department in addition to his previous duties until the office is filled. Chairman of the Supervisory Board Karl-Ludwig Kley said that the challenges facing the industry and the company were different than in previous years, but that they remained enormous. “We want to approach it with new momentum and a changed team that combines even more international experience and diverse perspectives.” Interaction with customers, investors, partners, but also collaboration within the Lufthansa Group requires more than ever “a strong understanding of teamwork. We also expect this from our new management team.”
According to the Supervisory Board’s decision, Grazia Vittadini, currently special advisor to Rolls-Royce Holdings, will be reappointed to the Executive Board on July 1, 2024. As head of technology, she will take over the “Technology and IT” department. Also with effect from July 1, 2024, Dieter Vranckx, currently CEO of the subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines, will be appointed to the board of directors “Global Markets and Commercial Control Hubs”. With his move to Frankfurt, Vranckx will take over the mandate of Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of Swiss International Air Lines from Remco Steenbergen, who is resigning from the mandate when he leaves. The board department “Group Finance” should be filled.