Selecta Group, a player in the European foodtech sector, has announced a significant change in its senior leadership. Christian Schmitz will step down as CEO, with Michael Rauch appointed as interim CEO. This transition comes at a pivotal time for the company, which has recently completed a recapitalisation aimed at enhancing its growth trajectory.

Christian Schmitz has led Selecta Group for five years, during which he has overseen a transformation that positioned the company as a key force in the competitive foodtech landscape.

In his statement, Schmitz expressed pride in the progress made and indicated that the current moment is ideal for new leadership to guide the company into its next phase. “With Selecta's recapitalisation agreed, I am confident that now is the ideal moment to entrust its next chapter of growth to new ownership,” he commented.

Michael Rauch, who brings extensive experience from his previous roles as CEO and CFO of CompuGroup Medical, as well as CFO of Douglas Group, will take on the interim CEO role. His background includes a long tenure at Henkel, providing him with a solid foundation for leading a pan-European business.

Marc van der Plas, chairman of Selecta Group, acknowledged Schmitz’s contributions, particularly during challenging periods. He noted: “Christian has led the group through some challenging times and delivered a transformational recapitalisation, leaving the business with significantly improved prospects.” The board expressed confidence in Rauch’s ability to leverage the enhanced capital structure to pursue growth opportunities and improve competitiveness across all markets.

This leadership change is expected to facilitate an orderly transition, with Schmitz and Rauch collaborating closely during the handover period. The board aims to ensure continuity in strategy and operations while positioning Selecta for future success.