Gilles Despas Departs as Swiss Marketplace Group (SMG) CEO

February 3, 2023
Share this Post: 

Gilles Despas has left his role as CEO at the Swiss Marketplace Group after 16 months in the role.

Despas was the first CEO at SMG after its foundation as a joint venture between TX Group, Ringier, die Mobiliar and General Atlantic in September 2021.

He was appointed in November of the same year after a successful four-year tenure at Scout24 Switzerland, the best-known real estate marketplace in Switzerland and a major shareholder in the newly formed Group.

Despas had announced his departure on a LinkedIn post two weeks ago, with SMG confirming his decision earlier this week—while also giving him the moniker "Gilles the Builder".

He said: "I enjoyed every moment of it [SMG] and every person that was part of the journey. I will miss you. Take care of yourselves and of our wonderful company and brands." Despas did not say where his next career step will take him.

SMG also announced that Christoph Tonini will become the new CEO—although his full job title is "CEO and Delegate of the Board of Directors" according to his personal LinkedIn profile.

 

 

Simon Baker spoke to Gilles Despas in 2021. Watch the interview in full below:

February 3, 2023
Harvey is an experienced property journalist and copywriter. He has written about the property industry since 2015, starting at The Property Franchise Group in the UK, before moving to Spain to work for Spotahome. He has blogged for the private rented sector, ghostwritten for UK property experts and written case studies for franchise owners around the UK. Harvey joined Online Marketplaces as a News Editor in 2022.

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the famous, free Friday newsletter!

News and analysis to help build better online marketplace businesses, in your inbox, every Friday

Related News

Schibsted
Tinius Trust to Sell Shares in Schibsted Marketplaces, Opening Door to Takeover Bids

The Tinius Trust, through its holding company Blommenholm Industrier, is preparing to sell nearly a third of its remaining shares...

Read More
Rightmove Not Listening 1
Another Rightmove Boycott as Proptech Bemoans "Unjustified" Fee Hikes

A British startup has launched a petition against Rightmove for what it calls "unjustified" fee hikes amid allegations of "arrogant"...

Read More
Shutterstock 751956331 2
News Corp CEO Robert Thomson on CoStar and Domain: "We Have The Advantage"

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson says the media giant will have a competitive advantage if CoStar Group completes its acquisition...

Read More
Shutterstock 2245599643 3
Zillow Says It's Shooting for $5 Billion Revenue and 45% EBITDA Margins

The American portal operator Zillow Group is setting ambitious financial targets and doubling down on market expansion as outlined at...

Read More

Editor's Pick