The Embracer Group has officially appointed Thomas Kœgler as the new CEO of Asmodee. The move was announced earlier this year when Embracer has outlined plans to split into three separate businesses to seek “winning formulas” after a brutal restructuring program.
Asmodee, the French board game publisher known for distributing titles such as Dobble, Ticket to Ride and Catan, is an integral part of Embracer's new organization. The company was listed as a standalone entity after secure €900 million in debt financing which Embracer says will create “a solid foundation to build an optimal capital structure” across its restructured business.
Kœgler will now lead Asmodee and attempt to drive “profitable growth,” having previously served as deputy chief operating officer. He will also join Embracer’s executive management team.
“Thomas' appointment as CEO of Asmodee and a member of the Embracer management team is a recognition of his successful track record within the industry and at Asmodee,” said Lars Wingefors, CEO of Embracer.
“He is a unique leader who combines Asmodee's legacy as a long-time member of the company's executive committee with a new generational focus on its future direction. I am confident that Thomas will be the right leader to lead the company into its next phase with a strong focus on profitable growth.”
Embracer has also formed a new board of directors for Asmodee. The board includes Lars Wingefors (Embracer CEO / Chairman of the Board), Kicki Wallje-Lund (Embracer Chairman of the Board / Vice President), Stéphane Carville (former Asmodee CEO), Marc Nunes (Founder and former Asmodee CEO), Jacob Jonmyren (Embracer Board Member) and Linda Höljö (COO and CFO of Pophouse Entertainment Group).
Wingefors said the board will work to consolidate Asmodee's “solid foundations” during what he said would be an “important” period for the French company.