René Bastl

Business Transformation & Growth Executive | Former VP CEE & Switzerland | Former Managing Director Merck | Former GM Abbott/AbbVie | Driving Turnarounds, Growth and Organizational Transformation

Prague Metropolitan Area

About

Business transformation and growth executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across the healthcare spectrum — including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, consumer, and animal health. I have held senior general management and regional leadership roles with a proven record of driving sustainable growth and transformation across diverse markets — from Central Europe to EMEA and Asia (Philippines, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech & CEE region). Throughout my career, I have frequently been entrusted with leading businesses facing growth challenges, market disruption, organizational complexity or transformation needs. I am at my best when helping organizations unlock growth, improve performance, build high-performing teams and execute business transformation that delivers measurable and sustainable results. My experience spans business turnarounds, commercial acceleration, portfolio optimization, organizational redesign and cultural transformation across healthcare, consumer health, nutrition and animal health sectors. Fluent in English; conversational in German, Russian and Polish. MBA and Pharmacy degree. Key strengths: Strategic Leadership | Transformation & Change | Cross-Cultural Management | People Development | Regional Growth | Business TurnaroundOrganizations typically engage me when they need

Experience

  • Vice President CEE + Switzerland & Global VP Calibra at Covetrus
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

    Leading Covetrus operations across Central & Eastern Europe and Switzerland, overseeing a business of $500M revenue and 700+ employees. As Global VP for the Calibra pet food brand, driving strategic growth and brand expansion across multiple international markets. Key achievements: Led organizational transformation across 10+ markets, improving agility and cross-country collaboration. Delivered double-digit growth in Calibra through focused commercial strategy and market repositioning. Fostered a strong people-first culture across diverse teams, increasing employee engagement and retention.

  • Managing Director at Merck Group
    May 2015 - Dec 2022 · 7 yrs 8 mos

    Directed all business operations for Merck Healthcare in the Czech Republic, leading strategic transformation and sustainable growth across multiple therapeutic areas. Highlights: Successfully executed corporate turnaround after a challenging performance period. Strengthened market leadership through customer-centric initiatives and digital transformation. Developed high-performing teams recognized for excellence within the EMEA region.

  • General Manager, Executive at Hipp Czech and Hipp Slovakia
    Sep 2012 - Apr 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Responsible for full P&L of HiPP operations in CZ/SK, managing commercial, marketing, and operational functions. Turned around a declining business to become the #1 baby food brand in both markets within two years. Achievements: Rebuilt local organization and brand positioning, achieving double-digit sales growth. Enhanced retail partnerships and distribution network efficiency. Drove marketing innovation with focus on sustainability and product trust.

  • Partner, Business Consultant at Pharma AVALANCHE
    Jul 2011 - Aug 2012 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Market access, business consultancy for innovative drugs/medical devices for the treatment of obesity, high cholesterol and GIT in Czech Republic.

  • Abbott Laboratories (10 yrs 4 mos)
    • EMEA Strategic Director, Abbott Nutrition
      Nov 2010 - Jun 2011 · 8 mos

    • General Manager Germany and Austria, Abbott Nutrition
      Jun 2007 - Oct 2010 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    • General Manager Philippines
      Jan 2006 - Jun 2007 · 1 yr 6 mos