Update: Columbia Group issues statement on CEO departure

Columbia Group has confirmed the widely reported departure of its chief executive Mark O’Neil in a statement highlighting the ’good terms’ and friendship between Mr O’Neil and the group’s chairman, Heinrich Schoeller.

"Mark O’Neil leaves Columbia on extremely good terms and as per the group’s succession planning," the statement from Columbia said.

As reported, 30-year veteran of the company Andreas Hadjipetrou has been appointed chief executive of Columbia Group, and the group’s Asia chief executive Demetris Chrysostomou has been appointed to the role of deputy chief executive.
Mr O’Neil was quoted in the group’s statement. 
“My job at Columbia was to bring about transformational change and that task has now been completed. It is time to hand over the reins and to seek fresh challenges. I know I leave Columbia in very safe hands and in a very good shape,” a quote attributed to Mr O’Neil said.
Chairman of Schoeller Holdings, Columbia Group’s owner, Heinrich Schoeller was said to have expressed his thanks to Mr O’Neil for his "exceptional leadership and contribution during his tenure," and "wished him all the best for the future, stressing that the two will remain firm friends going forward".
17 April

The president and chief executive of one of shipping’s largest shipmanagement companies, Columbia Group, has left the company, according to a report from Tradewinds.

Mark O’Neil, formerly the chief executive of Columbia Group and president of the group’s shipmanagement arm Columbia Shipmanagement, as well as chief executive of the ownership holding company Schoeller Holdings, left the company, according to an internal company email from group and holding company chairman Heinrich Schoeller. 

Mr Schoeller reportedly notified staff that Mr O’Neil was "no longer with the company, effective immediately", the Tradewinds report said.

Riviera has contacted Columbia Group’s PR agency Elaborate Communications, which said the group had not yet released a public statement on Mr O’Neil’s departure. 

The email reportedly said that Columbia Group "remains committed to facilitating an orderly transition and upholding operational continuity,” wished Mr O’Neil "all the best for his future endeavours", and said Columbia Group would provide updates on the situation "in due course".

The report said that Mr O’Neil is set to be replaced by an interim chief executive, Andreas Hadjipetrou, who has been Columbia Group’s chief commercial officer.