GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, a world-class technology provider in food processing and other industry areas, made major leadership announcements to enhance its strategic focus and operational responsiveness.

CEO Contract Extension

GEA Group’s Supervisory Board has unanimously agreed to renew CEO Stefan Klebert’s contract for a further two years, now expiring on December 31, 2028. Such an early renewal reflects the board’s confidence in Klebert as a leader and his critical role in navigating the company through transformative expansion. With his leadership, GEA was able to enter Germany’s prestigious DAX index, a milestone in its corporate history.

Prof. Dieter Kempf, Supervisory Board Chairman, voiced contentment over Klebert’s intention to stay on, noting his key contribution to the company’s reorientation and strategic progress.
Frozen Food Europe

Restructuring of Executive Board

As of January 1, 2026, GEA Group will carry out a far-reaching restructuring of its Executive Board with the aim of increasing strategic concentration and operational effectiveness. The restructuring encompasses:

Executive Board Expansion: The board will expand from three to six members, lowering the average age and injecting new ideas.

Abolition of the Global Executive Committee: The current 14-member committee will be abolished, and its functions will be handed over to the newly reorganized Executive Board.
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Establishment of New Executive Board Areas: Three reorganized divisions will become Executive Board-exclusive areas, concentrated on strategic business segments.

Direct CEO Oversight of Key Markets: The CEO will take direct charge of the key growth markets of China and India.

Creation of a People & Sustainability Division: A new division will bring together Human Resources, Sustainability, and Legal functions to support GEA’s sustainability agenda.
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New Executive Board Appointments

Parallel with the restructuring, various important appointments have been made:

Alexander Kocherscheidt: Joined as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing Bernd Brinker, who will leave the company by mutual agreement on October 31, 2025. Kocherscheidt joined GEA in 2019 and was a former management position at ThyssenKrupp.

Dr. Nadine Sterley: Takes over the newly created People & Sustainability division, merging HR, Sustainability, and Legal departments. She has been GEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Human Rights Officer.

Kai Becker: Will head the new Pure Flow Processing Division, unifying the Separation & Flow Technologies Division with the components business of Heating & Refrigeration Technologies. He joined GEA in 2004.

Klaus Stojentin: Assumes responsibility for the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division, uniting the Liquid & Powder Technologies Division with the Heating & Refrigeration Solutions business. He joined GEA in 2003.

Peter Lauwers: Remains in charge of the Pharma & Food Applications Division, formerly Food & Healthcare Technologies. He took charge of this division in 2020.

All new members of the Executive Board will hold office for three years to December 31, 2028, with the exception of Kocherscheidt, whose mandate expires on October 31, 2028.

Strategic Implications

The restructuring supports GEA’s “Mission 30” strategy, designed to increase agility, speed of implementation, and leadership in technology and sustainability. Through simplification of its leadership structure and prioritization of its main growth areas, GEA is well-equipped to withstand the challenges of the global marketplace.

With this new chapter beginning for GEA Group, the leadership transitions are a testament to a focus on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in ensuring that the company remains competitive in the changing industrial environment.