Martin Kottbauer, Lidl’s chief trading officer, departs after 28 impactful years.
- Kottbauer’s role will merge into Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bourns’ duties.
- Lidl’s board restructuring aims to streamline operations within its leadership.
- A Lidl spokesperson acknowledged Kottbauer’s contributions to the company’s success.
- Former Lidl COO Matt Heslop joins Asda, enhancing their operational strategies.
After an illustrious 28-year tenure with Lidl, Martin Kottbauer, renowned for his instrumental role in the organisation’s growth, has stepped down from his position as chief trading officer. His departure aligns with an administrative shift in which his responsibilities will be integrated into those of Richard Bourns, the current chief commercial officer. This strategic move is part of a broader restructuring plan initiated by Lidl’s GB board to improve efficiency within its leadership hierarchy.
Throughout his career at Lidl, Kottbauer held numerous influential positions, including serving as chief commercial officer in 2021 before transitioning to chief trading officer in 2022. His extensive experience and deep understanding of both domestic and pan-European markets have significantly contributed to the retailer’s competitive edge and expansion efforts.
Confirming Kottbauer’s retirement, a Lidl spokesperson commented on his invaluable impact over the decades, emphasising his critical role in steering the company’s growth trajectory. The spokesperson stated, “Over the past 28 years, Martin has played a pivotal role in Lidl GB’s growth and success, with his wealth of experience and knowledge from working both here and in pan-European roles proving instrumental.”
This organisational change comes amidst Lidl’s decision earlier this year to condense its three chief operating officer roles into two, a change designed to simplify their executive framework. The transition reflects Lidl’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and adaptability in a dynamic retail landscape.
Parallel to these developments, Matt Heslop, formerly one of Lidl’s chief operating officers, has recently joined Asda. Following his 20-year service at Lidl, Heslop is set to lead Asda’s stores and depots operations, including the newly launched Asda Express division encompassing approximately 470 convenience stores.
Lidl’s strategic leadership changes signify an adaptive approach towards future growth and operational efficiency.
