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Tag: shake-up

  • Major Shake-Up at A2 Milk: ANZ MD Steps Down, Sparks Leadership Reshuffle

    Major Shake-Up at A2 Milk: ANZ MD Steps Down, Sparks Leadership Reshuffle

    The A2 Milk Company has recently confirmed a sequence of significant leadership transitions, following the resignation of Eleanor Khor, the Managing Director (MD) for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Her tenure is set to conclude at the end of March.

    Leadership Change

    Jaron McVicar, currently serving as the Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, will assume leadership of the ANZ business. The company expressed its gratitude towards Khor for her significant contributions during her service.

    Eleanor Khor has been an essential member of the company’s executive leadership team. Her significant contributions to the company’s growth and success over the past seven years were acknowledged by David Bortolussi, the MD and CEO of the company. Khor had been at the helm of the ANZ business unit since 2023 and was instrumental in enhancing brand health, fostering employee and customer engagement, and boosting sales and earnings. The company extends its best wishes to Khor for her future endeavors.

    Promotions and New Responsibilities

    Kate Tidbury, currently the head of legal in the group, is set to join the executive leadership team (ELT) in the capacity of Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary.

    In Khor’s absence, the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), David Muscat, will spearhead the corporate strategy. Furthermore, the Strategy and Analytics team in China will now report directly to Xiao Li, the regional CEO.

    Bortolussi has applauded Kate’s promotion to the ELT, citing her notable leadership and technical skills. He also commended Jaron, David, and Xiao for their new areas of responsibility, stating that these changes align well with the company’s carefully crafted internal succession plans.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is taking over the ANZ business of the A2 Milk Company following Eleanor Khor’s resignation?
    Jaron McVicar, the Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, will take over the ANZ business following Eleanor Khor’s resignation.

    Who will head the corporate strategy in Eleanor Khor’s absence?
    In Eleanor Khor’s absence, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, David Muscat, will head the corporate strategy.

    Who will the Strategy and Analytics team in China report to in the future?
    The Strategy and Analytics team in China will now report directly to Xiao Li, the regional CEO.

  • Gong Cha Steers Growth With Major Leadership Shake-Up Across Key Global Markets

    Gong Cha Steers Growth With Major Leadership Shake-Up Across Key Global Markets

    Popular bubble tea franchise, Gong Cha, has recently undergone a significant restructuring of its top-tier management. This move is intended to bolster the company’s framework, enabling it to better support continued growth across its principal markets.

    New Leadership Assignments

    Keaton Myburgh, who joined Gong Cha in 2023, has been appointed as the new General Manager for the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). In his time with Gong Cha, Myburgh has shown exceptional leadership in assisting franchise partners and managing regional operations. His new role will extend his responsibility to ensuring operational excellence, regional development, and brand consistency across the APAC region.

    For the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, Gong Cha has appointed Jemma Smoker as the General Manager. Smoker, who also joined the company in 2023, will assume responsibility for overseeing regional operations and the development of the brand within the region.

    Marketing Team Expansion

    On a similar note, Gong Cha has also broadened its marketing team. Sepanta Bagherpour has taken on the role of Chief Marketing Officer for the Americas and EMEA regions. Bagherpour brings to the table over two decades of experience in marketing and communications, working with global brands.

    Moreover, Gong Cha has announced the promotions of Maya Murasawa and Jina Jeeyoung C. Murasawa will now serve as the Head of Marketing in Japan while Jeeyoung C has been named the Chief Marketing Officer for South Korea and APAC. These appointments underscore Gong Cha’s commitment to customer-focused, locally relevant marketing strategies.

    These reshuffles come on the back of the company’s launch of Gong Cha 2.0, a global revamp of the company’s business model. This new model aims to bolster efficiency across its franchise network.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the goal of Gong Cha’s recent leadership restructuring?
    Gong Cha has reshaped its senior leadership team to strengthen its organizational structure and support its growth across key markets.

    Who are the newly appointed leaders in Gong Cha’s team?
    Keaton Myburgh has been appointed as the General Manager for the APAC region and Jemma Smoker for the EMEA region. Sepanta Bagherpour has joined as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Americas and EMEA. Maya Murasawa and Jina Jeeyoung C have been promoted within the marketing department in Japan and South Korea and APAC respectively.

    What is Gong Cha 2.0?
    Gong Cha 2.0 is a global update to the company’s operating model aimed at improving efficiency across its franchise network.

  • UBS Tech Shake-up: Outgoing CTO Paves Way for Incoming COO’s AI-Driven Vision

    UBS Tech Shake-up: Outgoing CTO Paves Way for Incoming COO’s AI-Driven Vision

    UBS Group has announced changes in its executive oversight, particularly in regard to technological advancements and operations. This comes as the company enters a significant phase in executing its operational and technological strategies. To spearhead this pivotal phase, UBS has moved its Group Technology department under the direct supervision of the soon-to-be Group Chief Operating Officer.

    Mike Dargan, the current Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer, is stepping down from his position at the end of December 2025. His departure has set into motion an immediate reshuffling of roles at the top echelons of the company’s operating and technology sections, as stated in a recent press release.

    Restructuring the Leadership

    As of 1st January 2026, the Group Technology department will be reporting to Beatriz Martin, who will be assuming the position of Group Chief Operating Officer. This move is designed to consolidate daily operational accountability with technological governance.

    In the meantime, Chris Gelvin will serve as the interim Head of Group Technology, while also retaining his current role as Chief Operating Officer of Group Technology. This arrangement will ensure continuity as UBS works on finalizing its long-term leadership structure.

    The expanded portfolio of the Group COO is expected to facilitate seamless end-to-end operations, prioritize technological and artificial intelligence initiatives, and aid in completing the remaining technology integration process.

    Emphasizing Growth, Resilience, and Digitization

    Sergio Ermotti, the Group CEO, has praised Dargan’s valuable contributions in positioning technology as a key driver for business growth and resilience. He particularly highlighted Dargan’s role in steering the company’s strategic shift towards AI and digitization.

    The changes to UBS’s Group Executive Board are contingent on regulatory approval. However, the revised reporting lines and interim arrangements have been designed to ensure consistent execution throughout the transition period.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the purpose of the recent changes in UBS’s executive oversight?
    The changes are intended to consolidate daily operational accountability with technological governance as the company enters a critical phase of executing its operational and technological strategies.

    Who will be assuming the role of Group Chief Operating Officer in UBS?
    Beatriz Martin will be assuming the role of Group Chief Operating Officer at UBS starting from 1st January 2026.

    What is the role of technology in UBS’s business strategy?
    Technology is seen as a key driver for business growth and resilience at UBS. The company is strategically shifting towards artificial intelligence and digitization.