Chocolate maker Lindt says CEO Lechner to leave, taps former boss for interim role

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Lindt & Sprüngli said on Monday that Chief Executive Adalbert Lechner was leaving the chocolate maker, with former CEO Dieter Weisskopf appointed as interim chief with immediate effect, following weak recent performance especially in Europe.

"The Board of Directors has concluded that Lindt & Sprüngli requires new operational leadership to return to consistent, strong growth and to capture opportunities in all its markets globally," Lindt said in a statement.

Last month, the Swiss company cut its 2026 sales forecast for the second time this year, citing surging cocoa costs and less consumption in Europe.

Lindt said it aimed to appoint a new permanent CEO in the second quarter of 2027. Lechner had been the CEO since October 2022.

"The board should also face scrutiny: we believe it could have intervened earlier, particularly given Lechner's extensive experience in Germany and Austria, the markets at the centre of the current debate. We would welcome further board renewal next spring," Vontobel analysts said in a note following the news.

Lindt shares, which have shed a quarter of their value so far this year, were seen rising 0.7% in Julius Baer premarket indications.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for additional comment.

(Reporting by Tristan Veyet in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)