Solaris shakes up management board as it strives for profitability
Solaris, a European embedded finance platform, is shaking up its management board. The company says the move is linked to a new target operating model and the appointment of new chief executive Carsten Höltkemeyer, who took office as CEO designate on 1 November 2022.
Solaris shakes up its management board
The new management board will start work on 1 January 2023, comprised of existing and new colleagues.
Jörg Howein will continue to lead the product and tech organisation as chief platform officer (CPO).
Chloé Mayenobe, who joined the company and the management board at the beginning of the year, will assume the position of chief operations officer (COO) and will also represent the international markets.
Former chief commercial officer (CCO) and board member Jörg Diewald returns to head the global commercial organisation for the group in the same role. In the past months, Diewald served as executive advisor for Solaris.
In addition, Ansgar Finken will join the board in the newly created role of chief risk officer (CRO). He joins from BHW Bausparkasse AG, where he was also CRO. Alongside risk management, he will also assume responsibility for compliance.
Lee Johnstone, currently managing director of Solaris’ UK subsidiary, will become chief financial officer (CFO) and be part of the extended management board as general representative.
Finken and Johnstone will take over the risk and finance organisations, respectively, from Thom Rasser, who is not going to renew his contract.
“It is precisely in challenging times that a company’s resilience and entrepreneurial substance are put to the test,” comments the incoming CEO Höltkemeyer.
“To stay ahead of the curve, maintain our growth and become profitable at the same time, we have redesigned our organisation and will implement our well thought-out plan for the future.”
Höltkemeyer will officially take over as CEO from Roland Folz 1 May 2023. Folz is stepping down after six years at the helm of Solaris.
Founded in 2016, Solaris is headquartered in Berlin and employs over 750 people at eight locations in Europe and India. Combined net revenue in 2021 exceeded €100 million, representing growth of over 90% year-on-year, according to the firm.
