After a search spanning nearly 18 months, cargo carrier Cargolux has settled on an internal candidate, senior vice-president sales and marketing Ulrich Ogiermann, to become its chief executive. He takes over the role from company chairman Roger Sietzen, who has been caretaking the position since the resignation of Heiner Wilkens in April 2001.
Cargolux was encouraged to look inside the company by potential bidders for the 33.7% stake Swissair still holds in the carrier. This is in the process of being sold. These bidders, who have been examining the company as they consider buying the stake, were impressed with the job management was doing at Cargolux.
The new chief executive was expected to be named at the same time as a new shareholder was announced, but with the sale process not closing possibly until March Cargolux wanted to make its long-term move on the open position. The other shareholders in Cargolux are Luxair with 34.9%, Luxembourg financial institutions with 31.1%, and others 0.3%.
Sietzen, who will remain as the company's chairman, will work alongside 42-year-old Ogiermann until April. Ogiermann joined Cargolux in 1998 from Lufthansa Cargo where he had been head of southern African operations based in Johannesburg.
MARK PILLING LONDON
Source: Airline Business
