Effective March 31, 2023, Alibaba CEO Wu Yongming has announced the departure of Yu Yongfu from his leadership role in the local life group. Yu will transition to an advisory role, continuing as an Alibaba partner and exploring global opportunities through the eWTP fund.
The local life group's key businesses, Ele.me and Gaode, will undergo a leadership restructuring. Wu Ze Ming will assume the role of Ele.me Chairman, while Han Liu becomes CEO. Gaode will be led by Rui Feng as Chairman and Ning Guo as CEO.
Despite his departure from the local life group, Yu remains committed to Alibaba and its international growth. He plans to leverage his experience and insights to support the company's global expansion.
Yu's exit follows a series of organizational changes aimed at rejuvenating the company's management team. CEO Wu Yongming has emphasized the importance of fostering a younger leadership cadre, with a target of promoting 85 and 90-year-olds to key management positions within four years.
The new leadership team of Ele.me reflects this goal, with Wu Ze Ming (age 39) and Han Liu (age 35) assuming top leadership roles. Similarly, Gaode's new Chairman, Rui Feng (age 70), and CEO, Ning Guo (age 70), bring extensive experience within the company.
As Alibaba continues to prioritize global expansion, Yu's departure from the local life group signals a shift towards greater focus on international markets. The company's financial performance in recent quarters has demonstrated the growth potential of its overseas operations.