Metro's chief executive Hans Joachim Koerber has tightened his grip on the group's cash and carry division following the departure of two senior executives from the Metro board. The departure of Makro chief Theo de Raad initially took market watchers by surprise. But Schroder Salomon Smith Barney analyst Matthias Reschke said de Raad was brought in to integrate the Makro estate into Metro's existing C&C operations and was leaving because that job was largely done. The exit of Raad's fellow board member Wolf Dietrich Loose has not caused as much concern. The arrival of Stefan Kirsten to the board as chief financial officer was a welcome move, added Reschke. "Kirsten has a US approach towards getting a return on capital that should please investors." Koerber will now assume day to day control of the C&C division, in addition to his existing duties on the main board, further increasing his control over the group following the recent departure of chairman Erwin Conradi. Metro said the management reshuffle would make it more competitive and focused. {{NEWS }}

Topics