Solaris, which claims to be Europe’s “leading” embedded finance platform, announced changes to its management board.
This move is linked to Solaris‘ new target operating model “following a corporate strategy update and the recently communicated CEO succession.”
Carsten Höltkemeyer, who took office as CEO designate on November 1, has been working with the team “to finalize the future plan of the group.”
The new management board will “start working on January 1, 2023, and will be formed by existing and new colleagues.”
Dr. Jörg Howein, who recently extended his contract as a Member of the Management Board, will “continue to lead the product and tech organization 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.”
The former Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and board member, Jörg Diewald, “returns to head the global commercial organization 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 and Member of the Management Board.” Alongside risk management, he will also “assume responsibility for the compliance area.”
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 organizations, respectively, from Thom Rasser, who indicated last summer not to renew his contract. Rasser will hand over his tasks to his successors in the coming months and ensure a smooth transition.”
It is precisely in challenging times “that a company’s resilience and entrepreneurial substance are put to the test.”
Carsten Höltkemeyer, CEO designate of Solaris, said:
“To stay ahead of the curve, maintain our growth and become profitable at the same time, we have redesigned our organization and will implement our well thought-out plan for the future. I am excited to team up with such a strong group of high-class managers and proven industry experts. Together we will write the next chapter of Solaris and exploit the vast market potential of embedded finance.”
As previously communicated, Höltkemeyer will officially “take over as CEO from Dr. Roland Folz on May 1, 2023.”
As noted in the update, Jörg Diewald is the Chief Commercial Officer of Solaris.
With over 25 years of experience in banking, Diewald is reportedly “an expert in the development and expansion of commercial organizations in the banking as well as fintech sector.”
Prior to joining Solaris, he “was CCO of Targo Commercial Finance AG and, among other things, was active on the advisory board of the Berlin fintech company Billie.”
Diewald began his career “with Commerzbank and thereafter occupied a variety of executive positions, among others at Dresdner Bank and Landesbank Sachsen.” Since 2007, he “was a board member and CCO for Germany and Benelux at GE Capital Bank AG, which belongs to the General Electric Group.”
For more details on this update, check here.
