Valora appoints Michael Mueller as its new Chief Financial Officer – Rolando Benedick confirmed as CEO and Board Chairman – Markus Fiechter named Lead Director
Valora’s Board of Directors has appointed Michael Mueller, a Swiss national born in 1972, as the Valora Group’s new CFO.
Michael Mueller studied Commercial Law at St. Gallen and Lausanne, completing his studies with a master’s degree in Law (lic. iur. HSG) from the University of St. Gallen. After graduation he worked for Bain & Company until 2005, where he was engaged notably in advising on strategic transformation and restructuring programmes in a number of industrial sectors in Europe and the United States, including the retail and consumer goods industries. From 2006 to 2007, Michael Mueller worked as a mergers and acquisitions advisor for the investment bank Goldman Sachs in Frankfurt. He then assumed the duties of CEO of GVO Asset Management Ltd, a position he held until 2009. In 2007, he also joined Jelmoli Holding AG, initially as a member of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and from 2008 as CEO, Delegate and member of the Board of Directors. Since September 2010, he has been managing his own company, Rubus Capital Management Ltd in Zurich, which is engaged in private-equity and real-estate M&A mandates for institutional investors and family offices. Once he joins Valora, both Michael Mueller and his firm will terminate their work on these mandates.
Michael Mueller will take up his new duties as Valora’s CFO on November 1, 2012. Lorenzo Trezzini, the Group’s current CFO, will continue to offer his services to the Group. Valora’s Board of Directors is most grateful to Mr. Trezzini for his substantial achievements during the four years he has worked for Valora and for his ongoing commitment to the Group’s best interests during this transitional period.
Valora’s Board of Directors has also mandated Rolando Benedick to continue with his current duties as CEO, in addition to his ongoing role as Board Chairman. Simultaneously, Markus Fiechter, the Board’s Vice-Chairman, has also been named Lead Director. These decisions will ensure a smooth continuation of the Valora Group’s governance and executive management.
The Board is convinced that these key appointments represent the best solution for Valora, and that they will allow Board and management alike to focus their energies fully on the achievement of the business and strategic objectives the firm has set itself.