Lindt & Sprüngli has removed group chief executive Adalbert Lechner with immediate effect, appointing former CEO and board vice-chairman Dieter Weisskopf as interim leader while it searches for a permanent successor.
The Kilchberg-based chocolate maker said its board concluded that the company needed “new operational leadership” to return to consistent, strong growth and capture opportunities across its global markets. A permanent CEO is expected to be appointed in the second quarter of 2027.
Ernst Tanner, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors said, “The current search process will assess the best-qualified people to identify the CEO for the next growth phase, and we expect to appoint a new CEO in the second quarter of 2027.”
According to a press release from Lindt, the company also announced a leadership change in Germany and Austria. Michal Spiller, CEO Germany, will leave the company and Ali Kulein, currently CEO Austria, will succeed him.
Lechner’s Departure Follows Two Downward Revisions To Lindt & Sprüngli’s Outlook Within A Year
Lechner’s departure follows two downward revisions to Lindt & Sprüngli’s outlook within a year, driven by weak European sales and persistent cost pressure from high cocoa prices.
The company did not explicitly blame him in its announcement, but Reuters reported that Lindt shares were down 6.6% in early trading on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, and had touched their lowest level since March 2021. Vontobel analysts told Reuters that a second forecast cut within six months could damage the company’s reputation for reliable guidance.
Meanwhile, a Swiss financial blog blamed chairman Ernst Tanner’s store expansion and marketing strategy for the slowdown and raised questions about his share sales and the company’s foundations.
Under the microscope is “Tanner’s insane expansion” as the president and his managers have recently opened dozens of new Lindt shops worldwide.
Lindt & Sprüngli Fires CEO: Weisskopf Returns
Weisskopf, who led the group until 2022, returns as interim CEO with immediate effect. He said his priority would be to put the European business back on a growth path while building on stronger results in North America and Asia-Pacific.
“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,” said Tanner.
The announcement puts immediate focus on Lindt’s European turnaround plan and on whether Weisskopf can stabilise sales while the board conducts its search. The company has not named any candidates for the permanent CEO role.
Lindt & Sprüngli Protects Jobs By Cancelling Ski Weekend, Christmas Party
Recently, the Swiss chocolatier scaled back employee perks, including its popular annual ski weekend and possibly its Christmas party, while explicitly ruling out layoffs for now.
The company has cancelled its annual ski weekend in Grindelwald, a long-standing employee event, and a source told a popular local financial blog that the Christmas party (which affects the group’s bottom line) is also likely to be scrapped this year. The cost discipline is being driven under Tanner.
Apparently, the cuts stem directly from sharply higher cocoa prices. The company said it has “implemented various efficiency and cost-saving programs” specifically to keep price increases for consumers of Lindor balls and Lindt chocolate bars “as low as possible.” As part of those programs, it decided to “selectively suspend certain events, such as the annual ski weekend in Grindelwald, for once.”
READ MORE: Lindt & Sprüngli Protects Jobs By Cancelling Ski Weekend, Christmas Party
