Dieter Scheiff has been replaced as chief executive at multi-sector recruiter Adecco Group.

Current chief executive of chocolate and cocoa firm Barry Callebaut, Patrick De Maeseneire, will take over the role from 1 June.

De Maeseneire has served as chief executive of Barry Callebaut since June 2002. He previously held roles within the Adecco Group between 1998 and 2002 as country manager for the Benelux and later on led the professional staffing business of the Adecco Group globally out of New York.

Rolf Dörig, chairman of Adecco’s board of directors, told journalists that it was the board’s decision to look for an even “more globally experienced” CEO and the decision was not connected to the financial performance of recent quarters.

The move, he said, was connected to a desire to present the name and the profile of the new chief executive to shareholders at Adecco’s AGM, which will take place in the middle of May. The new CEO will aim to achieve Adecco’s objectives of continuing to work hard to protect margins through price discipline and vigorous cost reductions as they are necessary.

Dörig said: “Dieter Scheiff, CEO of the Adecco Group over the past three years, is leaving the company at the end of April. The board is thankful for Dieter Scheiff’s strong contribution to improve the profitability of the company even in challenging times.

“He successfully strengthened the group’s financial position, its operations and market position worldwide, and laid a very solid foundation for future growth.”