Board of Directors appoints new top management for Scout24 Switzerland

Gilles Despas has been appointed by the Board of Directors of Scout24 Switzerland to succeed CEO Olivier Rihs, who has decided to leave the leading Swiss network of online marketplaces for vehicles, real estate and classifieds for personal reasons after more than 15 years with the company - seven of which he was responsible for as CEO. Marc Walder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scout24 Switzerland: "The Board of Directors owes Olivier Rihs a great debt of gratitude. His work has made a substantial and lasting contribution to making Scout24 one of the leading Swiss Internet companies today. He has played a formative role in shaping Scout24 over the past years."

Also for personal reasons, the long-time CFO of Scout24 Switzerland, Toni Köhli, will terminate his employment as of May 1, 2018. Daniel Grossen, founder of Scout24 and member of the Board of Directors: "With his outstanding performance, Toni has contributed significantly to Scout24's development into a financially strong Swiss company over the past 17 years. Olivier and Toni both informed us early on about their respective personal desire for change. Thus, the Board of Directors had sufficient time to talk to suitable internal and external candidates to fill both positions." The Board of Directors deeply regrets the decisions of Olivier Rihs and Toni Köhli and wishes them both all the best for their professional and private future.

Gilles Despas will take up his position as CEO of Scout24 Switzerland in Flamatt on May 1, 2018. The Frenchman, who has spent most of his career in Switzerland, has many years of experience as Managing Director and CEO of online companies such as Ebookers based in Geneva and HolidayCheck in Bottighofen (TG). As Chief Digital Officer and Group Chief Marketing Officer, he most recently worked for the travel group Thomas Cook in London. Markus Hongler, Board of Directors of Scout24 Switzerland: "Gilles Despas has an impressive track record from various digital companies. He impressed the Board of Directors with his personality, drive and leadership qualities. Gilles Despas knows what it means to strategically develop a successful company in a complex, digital, global context. Building on his complementary background, he will provide new impetus together with the well-established management team of Scout24 Switzerland, which has been successful in recent years."

CFO Toni Köhli will be succeeded on May 1, 2018 by Boris Gussen, who has been Director Finance at Ringier Digital since June 2015. His previous positions include Head of Controlling at eBay and Director Controlling at Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke and Deutsche Post DHL.