Ascendis Health’s founding CEO, Karsten Wellner, will step down on Thursday, the same day that the acquisitive healthcare group is due to publish its results for the six months to December. Ascendis said on Tuesday that chief operating officer Thomas Thomsen would take over the reins from that day, although Wellner would work with Thomsen over the next four months "to ensure a smooth transition". Wellner — CEO since the group was founded in 2011 — will thereafter step down as a member of the board, effective June 30. "I’m fully in support of the whole thing," he said on Tuesday, adding that he was not at liberty to discuss the matter further before Ascendis published its results. After leaving the company, Wellner would work "in business and investment areas not related to Ascendis", he said. Chairman John Bester said Thomsen’s promotion to CEO was part of a "phased succession plan" that began when he was hired as chief operating officer in August 2017. "He has a proven track record...
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