Business News
Burda announces succession plan
Tuesday 15. December 2009 - Publisher Hubert Burda has appointed Paul-Bernhard Kallen (52), Board Member Technology, Finance, International, as his companys Managing Director.
Mr Kallen will assume the position on 1 January 2010. Hubert Burda himself will continue to be fully and actively involved in the business operations as the companys managing general partner with guidelines authority on publishing and entrepreneurial matters. The appointment of Mr Kallen is a significant step in guaranteeing the implementation of a continuous succession plan for the company.
Paul-Bernhard Kallen joined the media group in 1996 and has been a member of the Management Board since October 1999. In the beginning he was responsible for the area Technology (Print, Internet, IT), later on also for Treasury and Services/Procurement. When the Deputy Managing Director Jürgen Todenhöfer left the company at the end of last year, Mr Kallen also assumed responsibility for the areas Direct Marketing, International, Print, and Finance.
His achievements include the successful restructuring of the groups subsidiary Burda Druck as well as the development of a highly profitable digital investment portfolio. A significant milestone in expanding the digital activities was reached in mid-November when the company acquired a 25.1 percent share in the business network Xing.
In the future, the Management Board will consist of the following members: Paul-Bernhard Kallen; Helmut Markwort (FOCUS, Publishing Group Milchstrasse, PLAYBOY, Broadcast – up to 31 December 2010); Philipp Welte (National Publishing Houses and Publishing-Related Services, Corporate Communications); Robert Schweizer (Associated Member, Legal and Compliance Matters); and Holger Eckstein (Deputy Board Member Finance). No further changes are currently planned.