Lindt CEO Lechner Leaves as Former Chief Steps In to Restore Growth

Lindt & Sprüngli said on Monday, October 19, 2026, that CEO Adalbert Lechner is leaving and former CEO Dieter Weisskopf takes over as interim CEO immediately. Lechner had been CEO since October 2022 and is leaving after 33 years at the company. Lindt said its board concluded the company requires new operational leadership to return to consistent, strong growth and capture opportunities globally. Weisskopf, who previously ran Lindt for six years until 2022, said: "My task is to hand over to the next CEO a company with renewed momentum." Lindt aims to appoint a permanent CEO in the second quarter of 2027. The change follows two cuts to the 2026 sales forecast, from 6%–8% organic growth to a 4% cap and then in September to flat to 2%, citing cocoa costs and weak European demand. Shares have fallen more than 25% this year and were seen rising 0.7% in Julius Baer premarket indications. Germany CEO Michal Spiller is also leaving, replaced by Ali Kulein of Lindt Austria. Vontobel analysts said the board should face scrutiny for not intervening earlier, given Lechner's experience in Germany and Austria, and would welcome further board renewal next spring. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for additional comment.