Lidl CEO announces resignation

On April 3, 2019 media reports revealed that Lidl CEO Jesper Hojer has resigned from his position as the company’s CEO after nearly two years at the helm. Hojer announced that he was leaving the company with immediate effect for family and personal reasons. Hojer joined Lidl’s board in 2015 and was appointed CEO in 2017, to replace Sven Seidel. Seidel reportedly resigned as head of the company in2017 after a disagreement with the Schwarz Group.  

“I am proud to have worked for many years in various international positions for such a dynamic company as Lidl, and to have contributed to the success of the past few years,” Hojer said in a Lidl statement. “The decision to make my position available was not easy for me, but it’s time to realign my family and professional future,” he added.

Lidl named purchasing director Ignazio Paterno as interim CEO. Paterno has worked in various roles for Lidl’s parent company Schwarz Group since 2004 and served as CEO of Lidl Italy from 2015 to 2018.

Prior to Hojer’s resignation German discount retailer Kaufland’s CEO Patrick Kaudewitz resigned in mid-March. Kaufland is also operated by the Schwarz Group. Schwarz Group’s CEO Klaus Gehrig currently oversees the company.