REWE Group Austria Management Board Restructured
Cologne, 08.03.07
Werner Wutscher strengthens the market leader - Martin Lenz announces his departure - Better market power with flat hierarchies - International platform expanded in Austria
"In Appointing Werner Wutscher and Lionel Souque, we are setting new focal points in the future strategy of our largest foreign subsidiary. We are grateful to Martin Lenz for his successful efforts. He accepted the office during a period of transition in our staff, and he managed to clear the way for our continued development thanks to his entrepreneurial skills and foresight", said Alain Caparros, CEO of REWE Group and Chairman of the Supervisory Board for REWE Group Austria, in explaining the restructuring. "Werner Wutscher will add his rich experience in the forward-looking field of healthy nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and the environment; he will also contribute his expertise as an expert in administration and business to the continued development of REWE Group Austria's overall strategy", said Caparros. "Naming Lionel Souque helps us to strengthen our Austrian subsidiary as a cornerstone of our international activities."
In his initial reaction to his appointment to the REWE Group Austria Management Board today, Wutscher appeared visibly enthusiastic: "My new responsibilities at REWE Group Austria are for me personally among the most interesting tasks there are to tackle in Austria today. This market leader is giving me the opportunity to put my many years of national and international experience in the fields of healthy nutrition, sustainability, and modern management into commercial practice."
Martin Lenz explained his departure by noting, "My job as the CEO of REWE Group Austria was an interesting challenge; one of my main tasks was to implement the generational shift at REWE Group Austria. The implementation succeeded in a short timeframe. I am handing over the reins of a well-run business that is staffed by a dynamic, motivated team."
As new members of the Management Board, Wutscher and Souque - along with their colleagues on the Management Board, Frank Hensel (48) and Jan Kunath (41) - will report directly to the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. REWE Group Austria will no longer have a CEO. "We are going to implement flat hierarchical structures throughout the whole firm; this will lead to shortened decision-making pathways and thus more flexibility", Alain Caparros said.
Frank Hensel will continue to be in charge of BILLA, MERKUR, PENNY, BIPA, private labels, and Central Purchasing. Jan Kunath will remain the board member in charge of EUROBILLA - and along with it, the supermarket business in Central and Easter European countries.
Werner Wutscher: Strong Competence with a Background in Agriculture and Politics
Werner Wutscher comes from Wolfsberg in Austria's state of Carinthia: Born in 1968, he finished his studies in business in 1988 and in law in 1993. After working for two years at the chamber of commerce, he joined the office of the Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in 1994, where he became the assistant director of the office just one year later. He joined Agrana Beteiligungs AG as the head of the general secretariat for a short time in 1999, before returning to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, and Water as the general secretary. Wutscher completed his master's degree at Harvard University after a one-year programme of study in 2005.
Lionel Souque Strengthens REWE Group Austria with his Expansive International Know-How
Thirty-six-year-old Lionel Souque launched his career at Auchan, a leading international trading company. After a couple of years in the construction industry, this university-educated Economic Engineer and MBA came to REWE Group, and he has now been with the number three in European food trading for 11 years: He began in 1996 with a leadership post in sales and purchasing at Penny Markt International; in 2001, he joined EUROBILLA as a coach for purchasing and marketing. He was given the post of Senior Manager of Purchasing and Marketing for REWE Group Italia in 2002. He has been the Chairman of the General Management for REWE Group Italia since 2005.
Contact
REWE GROUP-Corporate Communications
Tel.: 0221 - 149-1050
E-Mail: presse(at)rewe-group.com
You will find pictorial material and downloads on many topics in our media database.
Materials on our press releases and press conferences are available in a separate section.
Do you have questions for REWE Group? As a representative from the press and media, you can directly contact us.