ZEISS
Andreas Pecher will become the new President and CEO of ZEISS next year.
ZEISS has announced that it will face a change in leadership in 2025. After almost 20 years in the role, Dr Karl Lamprecht has opted not to extend his contract as the President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG (ZEISS). The Supervisory Board has selected the current Head of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) segment, Andreas Pecher, as his replacement.
Pecher, who joined ZEISS in 2013 as Head of Strategic Business Development for SMT, has been a member of the Executive Board since 2022 after obtaining his current position. He will be promoted to his new role as of the 1st April 2025.
“With the appointment of Andreas Pecher, it has once again proved possible to fill the position of President and CEO from among our ranks. We are looking forward to continuing the successful development of the Group together with him,” said Dr Michael Bolle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG. “In addition to his extensive experience gained during his many years of exceptionally successful work for ZEISS, Andreas Pecher has an excellent understanding of technology as well as a wide range of management expertise from various leadership positions. In particular, this includes the development and implementation of successful innovation and growth strategies. The Supervisory Board would like to wish Andreas Pecher every success in his new role.”
On the departure of the current, long-standing CEO and President, Dr Lamprecht, Dr Bolle said, “We deeply regret Karl Lamprecht’s decision, but at the same time we respect his choice to concentrate more on his private life in the future. His start as CEO coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ZEISS was able to manage quite well under his leadership. With a clear strategic focus and the continuous development of the corporate culture, Karl Lamprecht has generated crucial momentum for ZEISS. This is reflected in the impressive revenue development and headcount growth over the past years. We would like to wish Karl Lamprecht all the best and thank him for the excellent work he has done over the past almost 20 years. He is handing over a company that is very well positioned and financially stable with exceptionally strong opportunities for development.”
Dr Lamprecht added, “Prior to the upcoming contract extension, I realised that now is the right time to focus more on my personal interests. Thanks to important strategic decisions, ZEISS can successfully continue its dynamic growth trajectory with double-digit revenue in the billions and healthy profitability. I would like to thank the Supervisory Board and all employees. It has always felt like a privilege to work for ZEISS.”
A look at the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG from the 1st April 2025:
- Andreas Pecher, President & CEO.
- Susan-Stefanie Breitkopf, Chief Transformation Officer.
- Stefan Müller, Chief Financial Officer.
- Sven Hermann, Head of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment.
- Dr Jochen Peter, Head of the ZEISS Industrial Quality & Research segment.
- Dr Frank Rohmund, Head of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment.
- Dr Markus Weber, Head of the ZEISS Medical Technology segment.
Following the change at the top, a domino effect of alterations has occurred throughout the rest of the Executive Board. The current Head of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Optics (SMO) strategic business unit, Dr Frank Rohmund, will fill in Pecher’s previous position as of the 1st January 2025.
“Frank Rohmund also has an excellent grasp of the industry and strong innovation expertise,” said Dr Bolle. “With his deep knowledge of the semiconductor industry and his experience within the SMT leadership board, he is the right choice to successfully lead SMT in the long term.”