Lidl GB boss Härtnagel to head up German business as deputy chief promoted

Härtnagel is due to step down from Lidl GB and will move to Germany to replace current Lidl Germany chief executive Matthias Oppitz, who will take on a new international role on the board.

Härtnagel has been at the helm of the UK business for the last five years, having been promoted from the role of chief operations officer for Lidl Austria where he was responsible for sales and operations.

Härtnagel has been with Lidl for more than 18 years, having also been the regional director of the discounter’s Irish business. 

He will take up his new role on March 1, 2022, and will be replaced in the top Lidl GB role by McDonnell.

McDonnell has been with Lidl for 21 years. The former chief commercial officer of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland moved to Lidl GB in the role of chief commercial officer in 2015 and was promoted to deputy chief executive earlier this year.

Härtnagel said: “It feels special, both personally and professionally, to be given the opportunity to go back to the country where I started my career many years ago, and to take the helm of the biggest market in the Lidl family.

“I’ve worked closely with Ryan for some time and have every faith in his ability to lead Lidl in Great Britain and to build on the team’s fantastic track record in recent years. I feel very proud to leave the company in such capable and safe hands. Ryan and I are focused on delivering the best Christmas ever for our customers.”

McDonnell added: “Christian hands over a business built on strong foundations and I’m incredibly excited to have the baton passed on to me. I have worked at Lidl GB now for over six years, during which time we have seen our store estate, colleague and customer numbers grow exponentially. We couldn’t be in a better place as a business and I feel privileged to be taking us forward from here.”

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