28/02/2012 | 17:35 CET | Group Announcements
Staefa (Switzerland), February 28, 2012 – Sonova Holding AG announces today the appointment of Hartwig Grevener as new CFO of the company. The 45-year-old German citizen is currently CFO of Jet Aviation, a business group of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). He has an extensive track record in executive finance roles both within privately owned enterprises and large corporations. He will be taking his position on August 1, 2012. Furthermore, Sonova permanently appoints Andi Vonlanthen as GVP Research & Development. He has held this position ad-interim since April 2011. With these appointments, all positions of the Management Board are permanently filled.
“Hartwig Grevener has successfully held senior finance positions in both listed companies and those that were held by private equity investors. His background and long experience in finance and business administration as well as his training in engineering will benefit him in understanding our business and the technology of our products. His focused and pragmatic approach as well as dedication to his work and team fit well with the culture and management approach of our company”, says Lukas Braunschweiler, CEO of Sonova Holding AG.
Throughout his career, Hartwig Grevener gained in-depth knowledge of all corporate financial management disciplines. He currently serves as CFO of Jet Aviation Group of Companies, which has been part of General Dynamics since 2008 and was previously owned by Permira Private Equity funds. He joined the company in 2006 and holds the group-wide responsibility for Finance, IT and Risk Management and Compliance. During his tenure the company experienced strong organic growth and expanded its footprint to Brazil, China and Russia. Before joining Jet Aviation, Grevener was CFO for the European operations of Gate Gourmet, one of the leading global airline catering firms. Previous professional experiences include positions at the German logistics group Hapag Lloyd, AT. Kearney management consultants, and BMW.
Grevener holds a diploma in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Berlin as well as a PhD in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen. “I consider myself to be a full-fledged CFO, but I am also an engineer with great interest in new technologies. As CFO of Sonova, I will be able to combine both of these passions. I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Sonova success story.”
Paul Thompson will remain interim CFO until Grevener joins the company in August 2012. He took over this role on March 30, 2011 following the departure of the former CFO. After ensuring a smooth transition Thompson will resume his role as GVP Corporate Development.
“Paul Thompson took on the responsibility of interim CFO at a time when the company was in a difficult situation. He made a huge contribution to regaining the trust of the financial community in our company. For this outstanding performance and his loyalty to Sonova we owe him our gratitude”, says Lukas Braunschweiler.
Andi Vonlanthen appointed GVP Research & Development
Furthermore, Sonova permanently appoints Andi Vonlanthen as GVP Research & Development after he assumed this role ad-interim since April 2011. After completing his degree in Electronics Engineering he started his professional career at Phonak in 1984. He significantly contributed to a large number of technological innovations and product launches. As one of many innovations he developed the first ever multi-microphone system for hearing instruments which revolutionized the entire industry. He trained future hearing care professionals for many years, thus gaining market and customer know-how as a basis for future innovations. From 2002 to 2004, he was appointed VP R&D at the recently acquired Unitron with the aim to align the R&D departments of the two organizations. Since 2004 he has been responsible for the Group System Integration.
“After over 25 years of experience within the company, it is safe to say that Andi Vonlanthen is the perfect candidate to represent R&D within the Management Board”, says Lukas Braunschweiler. “He has proven that he is not just a pioneering engineer but also a capable executive manager. Andi shares a deep bond with our company and I am confident he will further push our innovation leadership with great new products and technologies.”
“I am dedicated to this company, to its products and to its employees. The company was founded on principles which I strongly share and helped to shape”, says Andi Vonlanthen. “I intend to ensure that Sonova never loses its unique corporate culture and innovation drive which are without a doubt our key success factors.”
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