Image credit: Visual China
On June 21st, Blue Whale News learned that Yang Lijuan resigned as executive director and CEO of Haidilao (6862.HK), while Gou Yiqun was appointed as executive director and CEO of the company. According to the announcement, the above senior management changes will take effect on July 1st.
Public information shows that Gou Yiqun was born in 1927 and joined Haidilao in 1999. He is one of the founding members of the Haidilao team. From 2000 to 2014, he served as the financial head, financial director, and director of Haidilao.
According to the announcement, during Gou Yiqun's tenure at Haidilao, he held several positions such as Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Director, and Supply Chain and Procurement Management Director. Before being appointed as CEO of Haidilao, Gou Yiqun was the Vice President of the company and was responsible for investment business.
On the day of Haidilao's listing on September 26, 2018, Gou Yiqun, as a representative of Haidilao shareholders, said in a speech: The two most important groups that Haidilao would like to thank for the listing are the customers and the company's 50,000 employees.
According to the announcement, Haidilao, under the leadership of Gou Yiqun, has established two core committees: the Chinext Innovation Index Committee and the Digital Operation Committee. The Chinext Innovation Index Committee aims to develop new innovative models and incentive mechanisms, lead Haidilao's future multi-level and multi-category development, lay a foundation for diversified business models, and promote innovation at all levels of the group.
According to Haidilao's 2023 annual report, its overall revenue in 2023 was 41.453 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33.6%; it achieved a net profit of 4.495 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 174.6%. As of the end of 2023, Haidilao has operated 1,374 stores in the Greater China region.
Also tonight, Techsea International (9658.HK) announced that Yang Lijuan has been appointed as the company's executive director and CEO, mainly responsible for coordinating Techsea International's management and strategic development, and the appointment will take effect on July 1st.
Public information shows that Yang Lijuan joined Haidilao in 1995 and started from the position of a waitress. She has served as a leader, store manager, district manager, and regional manager. From January 2018 to August 2021, Yang Lijuan served as the Chief Operating Officer of Haidilao, mainly responsible for supervising Haidilao's operation. From August 24, 2021, to February 28, 2022, she served as the executive director and deputy CEO of Haidilao. On March 1, 2022, Yang Lijuan was officially appointed as CEO of Haidilao.
Techsea International is mainly responsible for Haidilao's restaurant business outside the Greater China region. According to Techsea International's 2023 annual report, its operating income in 2023 was 686 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 22.95%; its net profit attributable to the parent company was 25.65 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 162.19%. As of the end of 2023, the company has expanded to 115 self-operated restaurants in 12 countries on four continents, including 70 in Southeast Asia, 17 in East Asia, 18 in North America, and 10 in other regions. It entered the United Arab Emirates market for the first time in early 2023.