Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area
Südzucker is part of my life. It is a privilege having contributed and shaped one third of Südzucker AG’s 100-year-old history in different management positions and projects (i.e., M&A and Restructuring). My journey with this unique company keeps now going on with a new step in my career: Since March 2026, my professional focus has shifted fully to the European level. As Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (EU), I represent Südzucker Sugar Division’s and Sector’s interests in an increasingly complex and highly regulated European environment. By bundling these strategically relevant responsibilities within one function, Südzucker strengthens its ability to engage effectively at European level. Developments and re-orientation of agricultural policy specifically in sugar, a level playing field for the industry, as well as decarbonization and a reasonable implementation of the EU Clean Industrial Deal are currently on the agenda. Having an entrepreneurial background, the interaction between business and politics has always been of particular concern to me. In my current role, I act at the interface between business strategy, entrepreneurial responsibility and EU law, ensuring that economic realities and regulatory ambitions are brought into constructive alignment. As a key element of my mandate, I contribute to two Market Observatory Boards of the European Commission. I serve as Treasurer and member of the Presidium of European Association of Sugar Manufacturers (CEFS), board member of the Association of German Sugar Industry (VdZ), member of the Raw Material Committee of Federation of German Industries (BDI) and co-lead of the “Arbeitskreis Strategische Unternehmensplanung” of Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft. During my long career with Südzucker – three decades in management positions – my focus has been on leadership, business acumen, finance, controlling and sugar politics. In 2006, I joined the Executive Committee of Business Unit Sugar. Most recently, I performed as CFO (Finance and Controlling) and as a founding board member of Sugar Division, established in 2021. Before joining Südzucker, I gained various professional experience in globally leading industrial enterprises such as Mercedes Benz (automotive), Carl Freudenberg (technical applications) and Ciba Geigy (chemicals). I am holding a dual degree of Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering of the Technical University of Darmstadt. I am engaged in academic and executive discourse as a guest speaker at universities and management summits, and as an author.