The GEA Group has extended the appointment of Stefan Klebert as executive board chair for another two years through to December 2028.
GEA supervisory board chair, Dieter Kempf, said Klebert has been highly successful in driving the company’s transformation and securing GEA’s entry into the DAX.
“We are convinced that his strategic foresight and clear direction will guide GEA into its next phase of growth,” he said.
As well as extending the CEO’s contract, the supervisory board also resolved to expand the executive board to six areas from 2026
Executives from GEA’s existing divisional and functional leadership team have been appointed to head these new areas:
Alexander Kocherscheidt has been appointed CFO replacing Bernd Brinker who will leave GEA at the end of October, 2025.
This enables a further reduction in the average age of the executive board and an early succession for the CFO position, in line with the overall reorganisation concept.
Dr. Nadine Sterley will assume responsibility for the new People & Sustainability executive board area, as well as the role of Director of Labor. Her area of responsibility will include the HR, Sustainability, and Legal core functions.
Kai Becker will assume board responsibility for the Pure Flow Processing Division. This restructured division will comprise the Separation & Flow Technologies Division and the components business of Heating & Refrigeration Technologies. The Heating & Refrigeration Technologies Division currently headed by Kai Becker will be dissolved as of December 31, 2025. Kai Becker has worked for GEA since 2004.
Klaus Stojentin will assume executive board responsibility for the Nutrition Plant Engineering Division. This restructured division will combine the business of the Liquid & Powder Technologies Division with the Heating & Refrigeration Solutions business of the Heating & Refrigeration Technologies Division. Klaus Stojentin joined GEA in 2003 and currently heads the Separation & Flow Technologies Division.
Peter Lauwers will assume responsibility for the Pharma & Food Applications Division, currently known as the Food & Healthcare Technologies Division; the Division’s portfolio will remain unchanged.
All new members of the Executive Board will serve for a term of three years until December 31, 2028, with the exception of Alexander Kocherscheidt, who has been appointed until October 31, 2028.
The Farm Technologies Division will continue to be led by Dr. Andreas Seeringer and will report directly to the CEO.
is leaving by mutual agreement, for his important contributions and outstanding commitment. We greatly welcome that Johannes Giloth will support the transition phase of the COO area until mid-2026. We also thank him warmly for his very successful work, which has significantly contributed to the increase in value of GEA in recent years.”
The area headed by COO Johannes Giloth, currently an executive board area – will be dissolved with a transition period through June 30, 2026. A centralised procurement function will be retained, in future reporting to the CEO.
In future, the fast-growing and strategically important markets of China and India will report directly to the CEO to accelerate growth.
GEA CEO Stefan Klebert said the new structure provides an even better foundation for profitable growth as part of the company’s Mission 30 strategy.