Trivago CEO steps down, taps CFO for top role

Trivago’s CEO and managing director Rolf Schrömgens has signalled his departure from the roles with Axel Hefer, the company’s CFO set to take the reins.

After 15 years of leading the company he co-founded, Schrömgens will join Trivago’s advisory board when he officially leaves the leading roles on 31 December 2019.

Matthias Tillmann, senior vice president and head of corporate finance, will become the new CFO, succeeding Hefer.

“It’s every founder’s goal to be able to create a company and team that you are confident in passing along to the next generation,” said Schrömgens.

“In the last years, we have been leading Trivago together as a team, and I believe that Axel will fill the CEO role with the same passion and dedication as I have. I know he will continue to develop the organization and execute on the strategy the leadership team has put in place. As a member of the Supervisory Board, I look forward to working with Axel in a new way and support him and the company in this next chapter.”

“Since joining Trivago, I have seen the entrepreneurial spirit Rolf led with, and how it drove our culture and employees to be some of the most dedicated and passionate people I have had the privilege to work with,” said Hefer.

“Together, we will build on the journey Rolf started and lay the foundation for 2020 and beyond, as we enter this new phase of innovation and growth for our employees, customers, partners and shareholders.

“I also want to congratulate Matthias on his new position. He has played an instrumental role as part of our leadership team, and becoming CFO is a natural next step for him and Trivago. I’ve seen him grow tremendously throughout his years here, earning the respect of our employees, customers and shareholders. I am looking forward to working even more closely with him in this next chapter.”

Hefer joined Trivago in 2016 as managing director and CFO at the same time the company made its initial public offering.

Effective December 31, 2019, Schrömgens will replace David Schneider, who resigned from the Supervisory Board in October 2019. Frédéric Mazzella will replace Schneider on Trivago’s Audit Committee with immediate effect.

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Axel Hefer Rolf Schrömgens trivago