Hyundai conducts largest reshuffle, appoints young executives

Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp. headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Kim Hyun-bin

Hyundai Motor Group has carried out one of its largest executive reshuffles to date, Friday, to better adapt to the fast-changing global business environment and to reinforce the conglomerates' sustainable business structure.

The appointments focused on establishing wider authority and the hiring of new and younger talented employees. Among the 203 newly appointed executives, more than 30 percent were in their 40s. The reshuffle focused on future growth with 37 percent of the 203 being given roles in the R&D sector especially in future technology, and new businesses including infotainment, ICT and autonomous driving.

The conglomerate also removed 30 percent of its existing executives, only replacing 25 percent of them, to slim down the chain of command and enhance decision making.

Hyundai said the reshuffle included appointing the largest number of new executives in its history. Among them, 68 were appointed within Hyundai Motor, 21 at Kia, 17 at Hyundai Mobis, 15 at Hyundai Engineering & Construction (E&C) and 15 at Hyundai Engineering.

One in three new executives is in their 40s. The goal in significantly increasing the number of new executives compared to previous years is to nurture candidates to become next generation leaders while delivering a message of change and innovation, the company said.

Choo Kyo-woong was appointed as executive vice president to head the Infotainment Development Center as well as the Electronics Development Center.

Choo Kyo-woong

Choo has been spearheading electronic and infotainment system development and will continue developing technologies such as a next-generation Infotainment platform for connected vehicles and an integrated controller.

Kim Heung-soo was appointed executive vice president of the Corporate Future Growth Planning Division & EV Division.

Kim has been optimizing the group's vehicle line-ups and regional product strategies and in is charge of focusing on securing future technologies and internal capabilities to successfully initiate new businesses.

Lee Sang-yup was appointed to head the Hyundai Global Design Center. Lee contributed to strengthening the Hyundai and the Genesis brands' design capabilities. He has also contributed to Genesis brand's success in building a presence in the luxury auto segment through the design of the GV80 and GV70.

Lim Tae-won will head the Institute for Fundamental and Advanced Technology as well as the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Business Center.

Graeme Russell

Lim is an expert in the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology and materials and has overseen the development of the conglomerates advanced technologies. He will also oversee hydrogen fuel cell technology development.

Hyundai has hired Graeme Russell as vice president and chief brand officer for Genesis. He has experience in luxury brand marketing, working for Bentley and Macallan. The group expects the new appointment to strengthen the Genesis brand's customer experience.

In addition, Peter Schreyer and Albert Biermann will serve as advisors in their respective fields. Schreyer will work as a design advisor and help the company nurture talented designers while also serving as a brand ambassador.

Biermann will work as a technical advisor to help the company develop new engineering talent.