Branicks Group AG announced that Sonja Warntges, Chairwoman of the Executive Board, will step down and leave the Executive Board by mutual agreement at the end of October 2026. Warntges has been a member of the Executive Board since May 2013, initially as Chief Financial Officer, and has served as Chairwoman since October 2017. Starting in November 2026, the Executive Board will consist of Josef Schultheis, who, in addition to his role as Chief Restructuring Officer, will assume Warntges's previous responsibilities, and Johannes von Mutius as Chief Investment Officer.
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for Branicks, a leading German listed specialist for office and logistics real estate. Warntges noted that the past few years have been marked by successes but also significant challenges, and that the agreed-upon restructuring plan has reached an important milestone. "That is why now is the right time to hand over responsibility," she said. The restructuring plan is likely aimed at stabilizing the company's financial position and positioning it for future growth. The Supervisory Board Chairman thanked Warntges for her dedication during various phases of the company's development and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The implications of this announcement are significant for stakeholders. With Warntges's departure, Josef Schultheis takes on expanded responsibilities, combining his restructuring expertise with her previous duties. This consolidation of roles under Schultheis, alongside Chief Investment Officer Johannes von Mutius, suggests a streamlined leadership structure focused on executing the restructuring plan and driving investment strategy. The continuity provided by von Mutius in the CIO role may help maintain stability in the company's institutional business, which generates recurrent fees from real estate services to institutional investors. As of June 30, 2026, Branicks managed properties with a market value of EUR 10.1 billion in its Commercial Portfolio and Institutional Business segments.
The company's shares are listed in the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange, and investors will be watching closely to see how the new leadership navigates the challenges ahead. Branicks has emphasized its commitment to sustainability, occupying top positions in ESG-relevant ratings such as Morningstar Sustainalytics and S&P Global CSA, and being a signatory to the UN Global Compact and the UN PRI network. Properties in the Branicks portfolio have been awarded renowned sustainability certificates such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM. For more details, go to www.branicks.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
The transition comes as Branicks continues to optimize its portfolio and generate stable rent revenues from long-term leases. With the restructuring plan in place, the new Executive Board composition may signal a renewed focus on operational efficiency and value creation. Stakeholders will be keen to see how Schultheis and von Mutius steer the company through the next phase of its development, particularly given the challenging market environment for real estate. The announcement also highlights the importance of succession planning and leadership continuity in times of transformation. As Branicks moves forward, the market will assess whether the new structure can deliver on the company's strategic objectives and sustain its position as a leading real estate specialist.
