Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has confirmed that Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2026, succeeding Andreas Pecher, who has served as interim CEO since January 1, 2026. O’Connor will also join the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG, overseeing the Medical Technology segment. The appointment, first announced in May 2026, marks a significant leadership transition for the medtech company as it seeks to advance innovation and customer-focused solutions.
O’Connor brings a wealth of international experience to the role. She currently serves as CEO of the Vitrolife Group, a global medtech company listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm. Her career spans leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson, Covidien (later acquired by Medtronic), and Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she held roles such as President of the EMEA region and Global President of the Immunodiagnostics Division. Her background in driving business transformation and fostering customer-centric innovation is expected to be instrumental in shaping the next phase of Carl Zeiss Meditec’s strategy.
In a statement, O’Connor expressed her enthusiasm: “I am delighted to join Carl Zeiss Meditec and the ZEISS Group. The company combines deep scientific expertise, close customer relationships and a strong commitment to improving patient care. I look forward to working with our teams and customers to build on these strengths, advance innovation and successfully shape the next stage of the company’s transformation.”
Peter Kameritsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, welcomed the appointment, noting that O’Connor’s international experience and customer perspective will be valuable assets. He also thanked Andreas Pecher for his interim leadership and the momentum he provided during the transition. Dr. Michael Bolle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that O’Connor’s skills will further the strategy and transformation of the Medical Technology segment and contribute to the success of the ZEISS Group.
Effective December 1, 2026, the Management Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will consist of O’Connor as CEO and Justus Wehmer as CFO. The Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG will include Andreas Pecher (President and CEO), Stefan Müller (CFO), Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor (Head of the ZEISS Medical Technology segment), Sven Hermann (Head of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment), Dr. Frank Rohmund (Head of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment), and Dr. Marc Wawerla (Head of the ZEISS Industrial Quality & Research segment).
This leadership change comes at a critical time for Carl Zeiss Meditec, a leading medical technology company with 5,784 employees worldwide and revenue of EUR 2,228 million in fiscal year 2024/25. The company specializes in innovative technologies for diagnosing and treating eye diseases, as well as visualization solutions for microsurgery. O’Connor’s appointment signals a continued focus on innovation and global growth, particularly in rapidly developing markets. For more information, visit the ZEISS newsroom and the Carl Zeiss Meditec website.
