MAKRO UK Announces Further Board Appointment And Relinquishes Alix Partners Support
Self-service wholesaler Makro has expanded the number of permanent directors on its board and announced the exit of restructuring specialists Alix Partners following a strong start to its turnaround plans.
Jens Koeppen has been appointed permanent finance director of Makro UK with effect from 1st February 2012. Aspecialist in operational and financial restructuring, Jens has substantial experience in corporate finance including roles at Alix Partners, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and Deutsche Bank. He studied Business Administration at the University of Munster and has a Ph.D. from the University of Bamberg.
Managing Director, Juergen Schwarze will incorporate responsibility for the turnaround into his role and along with newly appointed Jens Koeppen, recently appointed operations director, Stephen Blan and commercial director, Huw Edwards will drive the continued transformation of Makro UK. Klaus Raettig, Martin Schumacher and Dan Murphy, all senior representatives from Alix Partners will relinquish their board positions and leave Makro UK with effect from Friday, 13th January 2012 now that the planned period of short-term support by Alix Partners has come to an end.
Commenting on the changes, Juergen Schwarze, said, “The appointment of Jens Koeppen to the board and the departure of Alix Partners signals a new era for Makro UK. Following an intensive period of restructuring, the business is in a much stronger position than it was six months ago and we can continue returning Makro UK to its position of strength with a renewed sense of determination.”
He added:
"I would not only like to thank Alix Partners for their support during the past six months, but also the continued commitment and support of our customers, colleagues and suppliers as we progress through our transformation.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
With up to 35,000 products in store and over 2,000 fresh lines, Makro is one of the UK’s largest cash and carry operators. Employing 3,700 people in stores which stretch from the north of Scotland to the south of England, Makro is part of METRO Cash & Carry.
METRO Cash & Carry is represented in 30 countries with around 680 self-service wholesale stores. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, the company achieved sales of about € 31 billion in 2010. METRO Cash & Carry is a sales division of the METRO GROUP. METRO GROUP is one of the largest and most international retailing companies. In 2010 the Group reached sales of around € 67 billion. The company has a headcount of some 283,000 employees and operates more than 2,100 stores in 33 countries. The Group’s performance is based on the strength of its sales divisions which operate independently in their respective market segment: Metro/Makro Cash & Carry – the international leader in self-service wholesale, Real hypermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn – European market leader in consumer electronics retailing, and Galeria Kaufhof department stores. More information at: www.metrogroup.de.
