Chief executive Andrew Lynch said the changes, which will come into effect on October 1st, have been designed to ensure the company is “better placed to meet its key objectives of growing sales, improving operational efficiency and fostering growth in key strategic markets”.
The new structure will see the formation of three new operating divisions – Nordic (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia), DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), and WEMEA (Western Europe, Middle East and Asia).
The UK & Ireland, headed by Mark Angela (the former CEO of Pizza Express, who joined the company in January this year), and America & Canada division headed by Les Cappetta, remain unchanged.
Kalle Ruuskanen is being promoted from his current role as managing director of SSP Finland to be chief executive of the Nordic region, while Cornelius Everke, currently managing director of SSP Germany, is moving up to the role of chief executive for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Both will join the executive board.
In the WEMEA Division, Nick Inkster, who is already a member of the executive board, will take on responsibility for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific in addition to his existing responsibilities for France, Belgium, Holland and Spain.
As a consequence of these changes, the Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific Division previously managed by Johann Weinzettl will cease to exist.
Lynch said: “I am delighted to welcome both Cornelius Everke and Kalle Ruuskanen to the Executive Board. Both have excellent track-records of driving innovation and commercial success within their current territories, and bring a wealth of valuable experience and creativity to the board.
“I would also like to thank Johann for the great service he has given to SSP over the last 20 years. He has been one of our most inspirational and respected leaders and is personally responsible for a number of key business wins and opening up new markets for SSP.”