As part of its current strategic review, Gategroup Holding AG has simplified its management structure and the composition of its executive management board. According to Gategroup, the new management structure is designed for increased accountability regarding profit and cash flow generation through greater focus on customer needs and cost efficiency. Airline solutions and network and product solutions will be integrated into a regional structure focused on operating excellence and standardization. A new customer organization will focus on delivering “innovative offerings tailored to specific customer needs”.
Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of gategroup, commented: “This is a key step towards creating one Gategroup, bringing together Airline Solutions (AS) and Network and Product Solutions (NPS) into an integrated organization led by a smaller, more focused executive management board (EMB), supported by centrers of excellence managing the growth brands and core functions. The new structure will simplify the business, shorten decision making and increase the focus on key customers and markets.”
The new EMB of gategroup will consist of five members. Led by CEO Xavier Rossinyol it will consist of CFO Christoph Schmitz, Herman Anbeek, president of the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Jann Fisch, president of Asia Pacific, and David de la Torre, CCO.
Former EMB members Doug Goeke (deputy president of airline solutions), Drew Niemeyer (president of US), Mike Hargett (CTO) and Richard Wells (chief human resources officer) will continue in their respective areas of expertise. Andrew Langdale, president of network and product solutions, and Kris Brown, chief legal and administrative officer, will leave the company.
The new organization is based on four pillars for increased focus and simplification:
• First, clear P&L accountability per region, bringing together AS and NPS, integrating the different brands which will be supported by centers of excellence to guarantee best sharing practices and standardization.
• Second, a new global commercial organization will strengthen relationships with customers with a global management, and a single point of contact.
• Third, a new global innovation center will be created to deliver airline-customized offerings tailored to specific passenger needs.
• Fourth, centralized global functions, such as HR and procurement, together with a stronger financial control including IT services, will control and support the business, increasing efficiencies and cost improvements across the group.
Xavier Rossinyol, CEO, concluded: “Our strategic objective is to provide the most innovative, customized and value-creating offering in every market we operate in. I would like to thank the whole gategroup team and the board of directors for their strong engagement and commitment towards this new vision”.