ARYZTA’s board of directors appointed Michael Schai as the Chief Executive Officer of the Group starting from January 1, 2025. Schai has more than 25 years of leadership experience at global organizations including Mars, ARYZTA, and Lindt and Sprüngli in the consumer goods and baked goods sectors. At HIESTAND / ARYZTA, he held a variety of roles across the Group in Switzerland and Asia-Pacific and was responsible for the Global Bun Bakeries Business in his last position. His roles have spanned marketing, sales, strategic development, and operational leadership across Australia, Asia-Pacific and Europe. He is currently the CEO of Lindt & Sprüngli, Australia. Mr. Schai will be relocating to Switzerland for his new role.
Schai has all the attributes that the board sought during the lengthy recruitment process, including strong leadership values, in-depth knowledge of the food and bakery industry and commercial expertise in international markets, according to ARYZTA AG Chair of the Governance, Nomination and Sustainability Committee, Alejandro Legarda.
Starting next year, Urs Jordi will focus on his role as a board member and ARYZTA chairperson, after his four-year tenure as interim CEO.
Michael Schai said on his appointment: “I am delighted to return to ARYZTA as CEO of the Group. I have followed the success of the turnaround in a period of numerous challenges both internal and external. This is representative of the resilience, commitment and passion of Urs Jordi, the senior executive team, its Board of directors and the management and employees. I am looking forward to taking the baton from Mr. Jordi and continuing the progress and further improving shareholder value.”
In his role as interim CEO, Urs Jordi steered the ARYZTA Group through a period of significant financial risk and business uncertainty. “He leaves his interim CEO role having installed stable experienced management, returned the company to organic growth and significantly improved business performance. On behalf of the Board, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for Mr. Jordi’s strong commitment, passion and dedication to the turnaround and success of the ARYZTA Group and also to all the ARYZTA employees who were committed to the success of the Company,” Legarda commented.
Urs Jordi also shared a statement: “It has been an honor to lead ARYZTA since my appointment by the Board as interim CEO in November 2020 and to deliver on our promises to our shareholders and stakeholders. As I hand over the CEO role to Michael Schai, I am delighted to continue as ARYZTA’s Chairman and member of the Board. Mr. Schai has the necessary bakery experience, proven leadership skills and extensive international commercial knowledge in the European, Australian and Asian markets, that we need to continue ARYZTA’s success. Today’s appointment combined with continued strong support and oversight by the Board will ensure stability and continued performance at ARYZTA.”
Photo: ARYZTA
