Lindt & Sprüngli Parts Ways With CEO Adalbert Lechner, Names Dieter Weisskopf Interim

Lindt & Sprüngli said on October 19, 2026, that Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adalbert Lechner will leave. Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf returns as interim CEO, effective immediately.

TLDR

• Adalbert Lechner, Group CEO since October 2022, departs after a 33-year career with the company.
• Vice-Chairman Dieter Weisskopf, who led the company until 2022, takes over as interim CEO.
• The board expects to appoint a permanent CEO in the second quarter of 2027.
• New leaders take charge in Germany and Austria on October 26.

What the Board Said

The Swiss chocolate maker owns the Lindt and Ghirardelli brands. Its board has started a search for Lechner’s successor.

The board said the company needs “new operational leadership to return to consistent, strong growth.”

Executive Chairman Ernst Tanner backed the decision. “The Board is convinced that this leadership change will drive future growth,” he said.

Tanner thanked Lechner for his 33 years with the company. Lechner joined in 1993 to run the Austrian subsidiary, Food Business News reports.

Interim Priorities

Weisskopf has served on the board since stepping down as CEO in 2022. He keeps his vice-chairman role during the interim period.

His first focus is returning the European business to growth. He also plans to build on strong results in North America and Asia-Pacific.

He said the company will invest significantly in its brands while improving profitability. “My task is to hand over to the next CEO a company with renewed momentum,” he said.

Regional Changes and Market Context

Michal Spiller, CEO Germany, will leave after 23 years with the company. Ali Kulein, currently CEO Austria, will succeed him, subject to local Supervisory Board approval. Fabian Reinhardt, Head of Global Sales, becomes CEO Austria.

The change follows a September 29 guidance revision. Lindt & Sprüngli cut its 2026 organic sales growth outlook to 0 to 2%, from 4 to 6%. It cited subdued consumer sentiment and weaker orders in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Food Dive reported it was the second outlook cut this year.

That release linked weaker demand partly to price increases driven by historically high cocoa prices. It added that cocoa prices have eased from those highs.

Why It Matters

For food and beverage R&D, regulatory and brand teams, this is a reset at a premium chocolate leader. The company has named brand investment, innovation and adjusted pricing as its path to 2027 volume growth. Partners should watch how interim leadership carries those priorities forward. The next scheduled update is 2026 net sales on January 19, 2027.

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Sources: Lindt & Sprüngli; Lindt & Sprüngli (September guidance); Food Dive; ConfectioneryNews; Food Business News.