Oliver Dörre has taken over as Chairman of the Management Board of the HENSOLDT Group with effect from 1 April 2024. As a member of the Management Board, Dörre had worked closely with his predecessor Thomas Müller since the beginning of the year to ensure a smooth succession.

The handover is the result of long-term succession planning announced in March last year. Together with Oliver Dörre, Chief Financial Officer Christian Ladurner, Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Lars Immisch and Celia Pelaz as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) will form HENSOLDT’s management body with immediate effect.

As CEO, Oliver Dörre will be directly responsible for all HENSOLDT divisions, among other things, as part of a new division of responsibilities. He will also be responsible for external and customer relations and the internationalisation strategy. In her new role as COO, Celia Pelaz will be responsible for optimising HENSOLDT’s process and organisational efficiency and promoting innovation in order to expand delivery capability in terms of both quantity and quality.

Oliver Dörre, CEO of HENSOLDT, said: “On our way to becoming a solution provider, we will implement our strategy in a focused and consistent manner. In view of the growing demand for innovative defence and security solutions for reconnaissance, surveillance and self-protection, we will sustainably expand our delivery capacity and continuously improve our operational capabilities.”

“We will systematically open up new markets and drive forward the digitalisation of our products and solutions as well as our company. In recent years, HENSOLDT has laid a strong foundation for further development with very good business results. We will pursue this profitable growth path, create added value for our investors and continue to be a reliable, innovative partner for our customers in the future,” he added.

Before joining HENSOLDT, Oliver Dörre was CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Thales Germany. With his many years of experience in the development of innovative technologies, sales and business development, the multi-award-winning former general staff officer will contribute his extensive knowledge of the defence and security solutions of the future to the management of HENSOLDT.

Reiner Winkler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HENSOLDT, said: “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to welcome Oliver Dörre as Chairman of the Management Board and I am delighted about the new division of responsibilities on the Management Board. I am convinced that the new Management Board team will fulfil the significantly increased requirements of our customers in order to also meet the expectations of the capital market.”

Winkler continued: “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Thomas Müller most sincerely for his successful work since HENSOLDT was founded in 2016. Today, HENSOLDT is a listed pioneer in the field of technology and innovation in defence and security electronics. The company is very well positioned in highly attractive growth markets. The recent successful operating performance and the development of the share price are clear evidence that HENSOLDT has a very strong foundation. These are achievements to which Thomas Müller has made a significant contribution with his tireless commitment.”

In the past financial year, HENSOLDT built up an order backlog of almost 6 billion euros. With its strategic focus and the efficient further development of its operating business, HENSOLDT will continue to expand its leading position in the global defence and security market.

HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich (Germany), the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a system integrator, HENSOLDT offers platform-independent, networked solutions. Being a technology leader, the company is also driving forward the development of defence electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data fusion, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

In 2023, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.85 billion euros. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 8,500 people. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX. 

Caption: The HENSOLDT Management Board under new leadership: (back row) Thomas Müller (left) and the new CEO Oliver Dörre; (front row from left) CFO Christian Ladurner, COO Celia Pelaz and CHRO Lars Immisch © HENSOLDT