Amid an ongoing overhaul of its staff, Auctionata co-founder Alexander Zacke and his wife Susanne have left the management team of Auctionata | Paddle 8 by mutual agreement, the online auction house announced on Monday.
Former CEO Zacke, who founded Auctionata in Berlin in 2012, was replaced by Thomas Hesse in September, just months after the surprise merger of online auction houses Auctionata and Paddle 8 in May. He initially continued working for the company as Chief Marketplace Officer, while Susanne Zacke worked as Chief Sales Officer.
Although the Zackes agreed to transfer their managerial responsibilities to the company’s new management team at the end of the year, they will remain associated with the company in the future as advisors, working on product sourcing on behalf of the company.
Susanne Zacke. Photo: Courtesy Auctionata | Paddle 8.
“Alexander and Susanne Zacke have been foundational for the creation and growth of Auctionata,” Hesse said in a statement. “With their entrepreneurial drive, art expertise and tireless efforts, they brought the conventional auction business into the digital age—in particular, by operating the livestream auction.”
Zacke added, “Auctionata has accomplished a fantastic growth story that fills us with great pride. A small start-up has become a dynamic global player. At this point, the company is ready for the next stage of growth under a new management team. As the company’s founders, Susanne and I know that Auctionata | Paddle8 is in the best hands.”
The former CEO’s departure comes at a time when the auction house is just beginning to stabilize in the wake of an extensive restructuring; the merger in May led to numerous high-profile layoffs and staff departures. The new management team clearly feels that it’s in the company’s best interest to part ways with Zacke at this time, especially since the auction house has openly and repeatedly considered going public.
Only weeks before the merger, the Zackes were embroiled in controversy when a leaked, internally commissioned report by auditor KPMG indicated that the pair had engaged in serious trade violations.
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