Julius Berger Nigeria appoints new MD as Goetsch bows out

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has appointed Lars Richter as its new managing director effective from October 16.

According to a statement issued by the company, the board of directors named Richter as Wolfgang Goetsch’s successor.

Richter holds a doctorate degree in civil engineering and has spent 16 years working with the construction giant.

In the last 10 years, he has overseen the acquisition, operations and successful completion of “major and challenging” projects across the company’s operations in Nigeria.

Thanking Goetsch for his meritorious service, the company said: “The Board of Directors extend their utmost appreciation to the outgoing Managing Director, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch, for his 27 years of faithful service and for his achievements in successfully turning around the business fortunes of Julius Berger in the past two years.”

The company also announced the creation of a new directorate for corporate development, which it said will lead to the expansion of its executive management.

The recent changes, according to the statement, were “precipitated by the continuous growth and strategic demands of the company with respect to its significant portfolio of building, infrastructure and industrial construction projects, and in the light of its diversification and development targets”.

Tobias Meletschus was named head of the new corporate development directorate.

Meletschus is a masters degree holder in commercial law with a first degree in business law.

A seasoned professional with an extensive financial and legal background, he has held the position of head of business development at Julius Berger, leading diversification strategies and related business plans, as well as the assessment and successful negotiation of large-scale projects.