Beiersdorf names three new executive board members

Beiersdorf has announced the appointment of three top managers to its executive board, expanding the membership of the board to six.

Thomas Ingelfinger is to take responsibility for the company's operations in Europe (excluding Germany), while Stefan De Loecker will take charge of the Near East region, which includes Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and India.

Additionally, Zhengrong Liu has been placed in charge of human resources, including the position of labour director. All of these appointments will be effective as of July 1st 2014.

Meanwhile, Stefan Heidenreich, chief executive officer of Beiersdorf, will be responsible for Germany, North America and the far east, as well as the La Prairie business. Dr Ulrich Schmidt will remain responsible for finance, supply chain and Latin America, while Ralph Gusko will continue to head up marketing, research and development, and pharmacy.

Mr Heidenreich said: "The appointment of three top managers to the executive board sends an important signal both internally and externally. We are confident to further advance our successful Blue Agenda strategy with this team."

During the first quarter of 2014, the firm generated a sales total of 1.6 billion euros (1.28 billion pounds), representing a nominal increase of 1.2 percent.