Rafal Ogrodnik has been appointed SVP global-integration-finance at Discovery, effective February 1.
He is currently the CFO and COO at TV Discovery Group in Poland and in his new role he will oversee the planning and preparations for the announced integration of Discovery and Warner Media in the area of finance. Meanwhile, his current role of TVN Discovery Group will be assumed by Jaroslaw Wichowski. Besides being responsible for the preparation and implementation of budget policy, operational functions and business support. He will also join the board of TVN.
Commenting on the appointments, Kasia Kieli, president and MD of Discovery EMEA, said: “I sincerely congratulate Rafal on taking up the position of SVP global integration – finance in Discovery, which he will perform in preparation for the announced integration. This is a well-deserved distinction and recognition for the great work he has done for the company over the last eight years. I am convinced that it will be perfect in a new role. We have more plans and challenges ahead of us. We have always known that our real strength is people – that is why I am also very happy to welcome Jaroslaw on board of TVN Discovery Group. Jarek joins us at an exciting moment – the media market and we as an organisation are developing and changing at an ever faster pace. So we are glad that such an experienced expert will join our ranks”.
Ogrodnik joined Discovery in February 2014. He held the position of CFO at Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region, which is part of Discovery Communications. In this role, he was responsible for the full spectrum of financial management of the region, business planning as well as for key operational issues. After the merger of Discovery with TVN, he joined the management board of TVN Discovery Group, acting as CFO and COO. Previously, he held similar positions in other international companies such as Avon Cosmetics Europe, Sandoz Polska and British-American Tobacco.
Before joining TVN Grupa Discovery, Wichowski worked at PwC Polska as COO, where he dealt with operational matters and business support. Previously, for nearly 20 years, he was associated with PepsiCo companies – in Poland, Central and Eastern Europe and the USA – where he was responsible for all aspects of financial management. For over 10 years he was the CFO. He was also a leader and business partner, overseeing strategic planning, business development, M&A, transformation, integration and optimisation projects, as well as the implementation of business support systems. He gained international experience during nearly 11 years spent abroad in Hungary.
