Overview

• Rainer Esser will step down as CEO after 27 years and become Executive Adviser to Holtzbrinck, join DIE ZEIT’s supervisory board, and remain managing director of DvH Medien GmbH.
• Effective 1 February 2026, the management team will consist of CEO Nils von der Kall, COO Christian Röpke after a move from CPO, and CFO Iris Ostermaier.
• Von der Kall has worked at the group since 2004, joined the management board in 2019, and has served as Chief Commercial Officer since 2024.
• Under Esser, the company expanded into magazines, education, events, digital subscriptions, and job markets, with owners citing continuous audience gains and a fourfold increase in revenue.
• ZEIT Verlagsgruppe is jointly owned by Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien GmbH in an even split.