Raoul Grünthal, EVP in Schibsted, has decided to leave Schibsted after 15 years. Today he leads the Next business area, which is responsible for the Group's investments in new business areas and growth companies.
"I've had an amazing journey in Schibsted, in a Group that is constantly developing. And all the time, I've been driven by the belief that entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship are vital drivers of the Group's long-term value creation and growth. Companies like Blocket, Prisjakt, Leboncoin, and Lendo are examples of the innovative strength that can come out of these environments, and of the magic that can be created when they are combined with Schibsted's strengths and capabilities," says Raoul Grünthal.
Grünthal joined Schibsted in 2006, and has held a number of leading positions, including CEO of Svenska Dagbladet, CEO of Schibsted Sverige and Head of Schibsted's News Media division.
In his current role as EVP for the Next business area, he has led the Group's ambitious investments in financial services and in Schibsted's growing distribution and ventures business, where he has been involved in a series of startup investments.
"I'm leaving a Schibsted that is on the offensive, with a strong motivation for growth and an uncompromising focus on its users. I've experienced the digital transformation in the media industry first hand, I've been involved in developing and shaping our venture initiative, and been part of a massive international expansion of Schibsted’s online classifieds business which resulted in the stock exchange listing of Adevinta. Moreover, I've worked with so many talented colleagues in the course of these years, not least in Next, so Schibsted will always be special to me," says Grünthal.
Schibsted's CEO Kristin Skogen Lund is very grateful for the job Grünthal has done: "Raoul has made an outstanding contribution during his time in Schibsted. In recent years he has led an area that has delivered strong growth and good results, so the conditions are optimal for building further on that solid groundwork,” says Skogen Lund.
“Raoul is a true visionary and a good strategic thinker. As a member of the Group Management Team, I have particularly appreciated his ability to combine his sound experience with an ability to think outside the box. His shrewd observations often serve as a useful contribution for the rest of the team," she says.
Grünthal will continue in his present role until 01 July and will be available to the Group in an advisory capacity in the autumn.
"We will decide how to resolve the new management of Next well before the summer," says the CEO.
Raoul Grünthal does not share his plans for what he will be doing after he leaves Schibsted: "I will come back to that. In the meantime, my full focus will be on Schibsted and Next. I also hope we will soon be able to meet each other in person once again. That's something I've really missed," he says.
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