Wednesday, 17 July 2024
Commerzbank appoints Martin Zielke as new chairman of the board of managing directors
- Martin Zielke to succeed Martin Blessing as Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors on 1 May 2016
- Michael Mandel to succeed Mr Zielke as member of the Board of Managing Directors responsible for the Private Customers business segment
- Bettina Orlopp to be appointed to the Board of Managing Directors, to assume responsibility for a new Board portfolio comprising Compliance, Human Resources and Legal
In its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Commerzbank resolved that Martin Zielke (53) will succeed Martin Blessing as Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors. It was amicably and mutually agreed, that Martin Blessing's term of office will end on 30 April 2016.
Moreover, the Supervisory Board resolved to appoint Michael Mandel and Dr Bettina Orlopp as members of the Bank's Board of Managing Directors. These decisions are still subject to regulatory approval.
Michael Mandel (49), currently Divisional Board member responsible for Private Customers, is expected to succeed Mr Zielke as the member of the Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for the Bank's Private Customers business. Michael Mandel contributed significantly to the successful turnaround of the Bank's Private Customers business over the last few years.
Bettina Orlopp (45), currently Divisional Board member for Group Development & Strategy, will be responsible, as a member of the Board of Managing Directors, for the new Board portfolio Compliance, Human Resources and Legal. The present assignment of responsibilities among the members of the Board of Managing Directors for these functions is as follows: Compliance (Stephan Engels), Human Resources (Frank Annuscheit), Legal (Martin Blessing, and Martin Zielke from 1 May 2016 onwards). With the new distribution of responsibilities amongst the members of the Board of Managing Directors the Bank responds to the significant demands placed upon Frank Annuscheit, Chief Operating Officer and Labour Director, as a result of digitalisation, together with the steady increase in the time required to deal with Compliance and Legal issues. The appointment also further underlines the importance of a strong compliance culture.
Ms Orlopp will fulfil her new duties in the capacity of Senior General Manager until her appointment to the Board of Managing Directors becomes effective. Until then, the distribution of responsibilities amongst the members of the Board of Managing Directors will remain unchanged. Successors to Michael Mandel and Bettina Orlopp in their current functions will be appointed by the Board of Management Directors in due course.
Klaus-Peter Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said: "I am delighted that Martin Zielke has been appointed as the new Chairman of Commerzbank's Board of Managing Directors. Following an intensive selection process, he was the right candidate, and he enjoys the trust of the entire Supervisory Board. Mr Zielke has a long and extensive experience in the private and corporate customer businesses, and in the finance function. He managed the turnaround of the Bank's Private Customers business in an impressive manner. I am firmly convinced that he, together with his team on the Board of Managing Directors, will continue to lead the Bank on the path towards success with sustainability. Furthermore, the Board of Managing Directors will be further strengthened with the appointments of Michael Mandel and Bettina Orlopp.”
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Having completed a banking apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank, Martin Zielke studied business administration at Göttingen University. He started his professional career with Dresdner Bank in 1990, including a sales management position in Hamburg. He joined Deutsche Bank 24 in 2000, as regional head of portfolio investment, before moving to Deutsche Hyp, as regional head of financing Retail banking. In 2002, Mr Zielke was appointed Group Manager, Retail Banking, at Commerzbank, where he successfully restructured the Bank's retail banking franchise. Three years later, he moved to the Mittelstandsbank, as Group Manager, Corporate Banking. In April 2006, he was appointed CFO of Eurohypo; he returned to Commerzbank in 2008, as Divisional Board Member for Group Finance. Mr Zielke has been a member of Commerzbank's Board of Managing Directors since November 2010, with responsibility for the Private Customers division. Under his leadership, the Bank's private customer business has been successfully restructured over recent years, and the process of change towards becoming a digital multi-channel bank was implemented.
Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker
