Lindt leadership change: Overview
- Lindt removes CEO Adalbert Lechner after recent sales slowdown
- Board says new leadership needed to restore growth
- Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf returns temporarily while successor search continues
- New chief executive expected by second quarter of 2027
- Leadership reshuffle also extends across Germany and Austria operations
Lindt & Sprüngli has shocked the industry with the news that Group CEO Adalbert Lechner has left the business.
The Swiss chocolate maker revealed Monday that a search has been initiated to “identify his successor” but no further details were given on who that replacement might be.
It did however provide clear evidence as to the reason for the exit, saying the Board has concluded Lindt requires “new operational leadership to return to consistent, strong growth and to capture opportunities in all its markets globally”, indicating the decision is directly linked to the recent sales slowdown.
“The Board is convinced that this leadership change will drive future growth,” says executive chairman of the Board, Ernst Tanner. “Our brands and market positions are strong, and our focus continues to be on delivering exceptional products and experiences for our consumers and on profitable growth for our shareholders.”
The unusually direct wording is notable in an industry where companies are often reluctant to openly link senior leadership changes to performance concerns.
While CEO departures are typically accompanied by carefully worded statements about succession planning or personal career decisions, Lindt’s decision to explicitly cite the need for “new operational leadership” and a return to “consistent, strong growth” leaves little doubt that the Board is seeking a change in direction.
The frank assessment offers a rare glimpse into the pressures facing one of the confectionery sector’s most respected businesses as it navigates slowing sales growth, high cocoa costs and a challenging consumer environment.
The immediate challenge for the multinational now is to maintain momentum as it searches for a permanent successor. To do this, the Board has called on one of Lindt’s most experienced leaders.
Weisskopf returns
The maker of major brands including Lindt truffles and Excellence has announced that vice-chairman of the Board of Directors and former Group CEO, Dieter Weisskopf, will step in as interim cover “with immediate effect”.
“I know Lindt & Sprüngli, the market, and our people well, and all of it is close to my heart,” said Weisskopf in a statement. “My focus in the coming months will be to return our European business to growth and to build on the strong performance in North America as well as in Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia, China and Japan, where we continue to gain market share.”
He went on to say the company will “invest significantly” in its brands while improving profitability. “My task is to hand over to the next CEO a company with renewed momentum.”
“We are very pleased that Dieter Weisskopf, who successfully led Lindt & Sprüngli as CEO until 2022 and has served on the Board since then, has agreed to lead the company as interim CEO in addition to his responsibility as vice-chairman, until a new CEO is appointed,” responded chairman Tanner.
Search for a successor
While few details have been given on how the search will be conducted, Tanner has said the business will “assess the best-qualified people to identify the CEO for the next growth phase”.
It also confirmed that it expects to name the new CEO in the second quarter of 2027.
The incoming CEO will inherit a business navigating a challenging environment for the global chocolate sector, with manufacturers grappling with record cocoa costs, continued pricing pressures and increasingly cautious consumer spending.
Maintaining Lindt’s premium positioning while sustaining growth is likely to be a key priority for the company’s next leader.
Tanner’s comments indicate the Board remains open-minded on the succession process, with the company likely to consider both internal and external candidates.
As the search gets underway, the chairman was keen to acknowledge outgoing Lechner’s long-standing contribution to the business and the role he played in shaping its growth over more than three decades.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Adalbert Lechner for his important contribution to Lindt & Sprüngli over his 33-year career with the company. He has helped shape the Group’s growth trajectory over many years. We are grateful to him for his leadership and achievements, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Further leadership changes
In addition to the exit of its Group CEO, Lindt also announced leadership changes in Germany and Austria.
Germany: Austria CEO Ali Kulein is to replace Germany CEO Michal Spiller, subject to formal approval by the local Supervisory Board.
No further details have been given on Spiller’s future and whether he’s to stay with the company.
Austria: Head of global sales Fabian Reinhardt is to replace Ali Kulein as Austria CEO.
Both changes are due to take effect on 26 October 2026.
What’s next for Lindt?
The leadership shake-up marks a significant moment for one of the confectionery industry’s most successful premium players.
While Lindt remains in a strong position globally, the Board’s decision signals a clear desire to accelerate growth and strengthen performance in key markets, particularly Europe.
With Weisskopf tasked with restoring momentum and a search underway for a permanent successor, the industry’s attention will now turn to who takes the helm next and how they plan to steer the chocolatier through a period of high cocoa costs, evolving consumer demand and intensifying competition.
Lindt & Sprüngli declined request for further comment on the matter.
