(Yicai) Nov. 22 -- The home appliance division of China's Hisense Group Holdings has appointed Gao Yuling, former chief financial officer, as its new chairperson in a generational shift with top management now in their 40s and early 50s rather than nearing 60.

At 42, Gao succeeds Dai Huizhong, 58, who resigned due to age and personal reasons, Foshan-headquartered Hisense Home Appliances Group announced yesterday. Dai will remain a director.

"It is natural for the new to take over from the old," Dai told Yicai today. “Young people are more energetic and motivated, and this change will benefit the company’s long-term development.”

Prior to her appointment, Gao held several key roles at Hisense Home Appliances, including director and chief accountant. She also served as the general manager and deputy chief accountant of a department at the parent company, according to public information.

Dai became chairman and president of Hisense Home Appliances in October 2021. However, Hu Jianyong, 50, replaced him as president in February 2023.

Even the parent has been promoting talent under 60. Last year, Jia Shaoqian, former president of Hisense who was 51 at the time, replaced Lin Lan, 65, as chairman. In July 2023, Jia appointed Yu Zhitao, 47, as the new president of the group.

Hisense Home Appliances makes refrigerators, air conditioning units, and washing machines. In the first three quarters of this year, the company’s net profit jumped 15 percent year-over-year to CNY2.8 billion (USD386.4 million), while revenue increased by 9 percent to CNY70.6 billion (USD9.7 billion).

Editors: Dou Shicong, Emmi Laine