The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that beleaguered Aimia chief executive officer Phil Mittleman has resigned. The Globe's Jameson Berkow writes that his surprise departure from the loyalty plan provider turned investment holding company, announced late Thursday, leaves Aimia without a permanent leader as it seeks to fend off a hostile takeover bid from its largest shareholder. Mike Lehmann, Mr. Mittleman's former prep school roommate who was hired as Aimia's president shortly after Mr. Mittleman himself joined in 2020, has also left the company. Both departures are effective immediately. Tom Finke, a retired asset management executive in North Carolina who joined the Aimia board as chair less than three months ago, will lead the company on an interim basis as executive chair. Aimia has hired an executive recruiter to search for a new "operations-focused" CEO, the company said. No reason was given for the sudden management shakeup. Joe Racanelli, who replaced Albert Matousek as Aimia's head of investor relations and communications last week after Mr. Matousek's own departure, said by phone the timing of Mr. Mittleman's exit was not related to Aimia's recent high-profile disputes.