People
Rudolf Knepper has been appointed to the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer. Thus, the nine-member committee is complete again, following the resignation of Michael Lewis on 30 September 2012, the media company announced on 9 January. The former Technical and Human Resources Director has spent almost 40 years at Springer (Bild, Hamburger Abendblatt), most recently as executive vice president.
Manfred Bischoff (70) and Philippe Camus are to join the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Board in its upcoming renewal, to advise and at the same time monitor EADS CEO Thomas Enders. Besides Bischoff, former BDI President Hans-Peter Keitel is to move to the EADS board. As representatives of the German government they would replace Daimler board members Bodo Uebber and Wilfried Porth. The French government apparently wants to appoint Anne Lauvergeon to head the company’s Board. The former head of nuclear company Areva possesses the necessary qualities and is François Hollande’s favourite candidate, it was said. Supposedly, the governments of Germany and France, in consultation with the CEO, have already signalled their approval. The German government initially wanted to take no position, however. On the French side, Lagardère representatives Arnaud Lagardère and Dominique D’Hinnin would make room for the 64-year-old Camus and former Saint-Gobain CEO Jean-Louis Beffa . The appointment of the new Board was necessary after Germany gradually bought up shares from Daimler and a consortium of banks through the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau so as to enter the company directly for the first time, and because as well as the Stuttgart carmaker Lagardère also announced its withdrawal from the Airbus parent. Berlin wants direct entry to EADS to secure the balance of power and prevent a threatening French predominance. After a hard struggle Germany and France had agreed at the end of 2012 to a new shareholding structure at EADS. The State major shareholders of the Airbus parent will in future hold twelve per cent each. Unlike a German Supervisory Board, the EADS body shares in location and production decisions and decides on arms deals.
Robert Ian Kauffman has resigned his directorship at GAGFAH with effect from 15 January. The co-founder of the Fortress Investment Group, which holds the majority of the real-estate group, is also retiring from the investment company. As new member the majority shareholder is sending Jonathan Ashley to the Board of the real-estate Group, listed in Luxembourg.
On 1 February Karsten Lork became the fourth board member of Klöckner & Co. The Supervisory Board of the metal handler has appointed the business graduate to the Executive Board with responsibility for Europe and Asia, which is currently provisionally managed by Gisbert Rühl. Ulrich Becker had left in autumn due to differing views on the future direction of the business.
Harald Schrimpf was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 July, PSI announced. In addition, the 48-year-old’s contract was extended for a further five years until 30 June 2018. On the same day Harald Fuchs also joined the Board of the Berlin software company. He has been Head of Finance and Controlling in PSI AG’s Electrical Energy business unit since 2011. Armin Stein will leave the TecDAX-listed company at the end of his contract on 30 June.
Bernd Schlobohm surprisingly announced on 22 January he did not want to prolong his expiring contract at QSC beyond the AGM scheduled for 29 May. He still wants to actively help shape the strategic development of the Cologne-based IT and telecommunications company and is aiming for a direct move to the Supervisory Board. Jürgen Hermann will take over Group Management.
Bertin Eichler is to vacate his position at ThyssenKrupp at the end of his current term in autumn and not run for the Supervisory Board again. The Deputy Chairman need not worry about his leadership position at IG Metall because of his first-class flights at the expense of the DAX Group, however. Eichler also announced he would repay the difference between the cost of the Business Class most used by business travellers and First Class.
Kay Mayland has been appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board of Vossloh by decision of the Iserlohn District Court dated 28 December 2012. The doctor of engineering succeeds Jürgen Blume, who resigned with effect from 31 August 2012. Between 2004 and 2011 Mayland was CEO of Düsseldorf firm SMS Siemag, a company for metallurgical and rolling-mill technology.
On 1 January Wincor Nixdorf’s Supervisory Board appointed Jens Bohlen to the board, it was announced. The 50-year-old, at the ATM manufacturer since 2006 and currently responsible for the service business, will take over the banking business, provisionally handled by Eckard Heidloff since the departure of Stefan Auerbach in February 2012. Olaf Heyden is also moving to Wincor Nixdorf in Paderborn, although his entry date is not yet fixed. As part of the increase of Board staff Jürgen Wunram has since the beginning of the year been Deputy Vice Chairman. At the AGM on 21 January Dieblius Alexander was elected Supervisory Board Chairman, succeeding Karl-Heinz Stiller.