Otto Group unveils leadership succession plan

Otto Group has announced the “next generation” to run the giant German business that owns a vast range of online retailers and delivery specialists. The succession plan will see Benjamin Otto succeeding his father Prof. Dr. Michael Otto as head of the group, but not until 2026, with other key changes happening from next year.

The company owns businesses including the UK’s Freemans plus Bonprix, About You, Crate & Barrel and delivery specialist Evri/Hermes, among others.

As well as running the firm, Benjamin Otto will become Chair of the Foundation that’s the majority shareholder in the business, and Shareholders’ Council. His control of the international retail and services group will happen with current CEO Alexander Birken “at his side”. He’ll be moving to the helm of the Supervisory Board in 2025. 

Next spring, Petra Scharner-Wolff will also become the new CEO and “thus the driving force at the wheel of the Otto Group”, with Katy Roewer becoming the new executive board member for Finance and Human Resources.

Michael Otto has run family business since 1971 “and has turned the former Otto Versand into an internationally successful digital retail and services enterprise”. 

He turned 80 last year and from 2026 will “devote more time to his many foundation [and other entrepreneurial] activities”.

Benjamin Otto clearly has a long runway ahead of him to apply his vision to the firm as he’s currently just 48 and will be in the driving seat in relation to the group’s strategic future goals.

But as the above changes make clear, it’s not all about him. The company said Birken will work closely with him “to steer the fortunes of the group and be a central sparring partner for the Otto Group’s executive board. The Otto family relies on Alexander Birken’s high level of expertise and extensive entrepreneurial experience”.

We’re told Birken, 59, “knows the Otto Group like no other. With clear vision and strategic foresight, he has driven the digital and cultural transformation of the group”.

Meanwhile, in her new role, Scharner-Wolff, 52, will be “the driving force of the group”. She’s worked for Otto in various senior management positions since 1999 and since 2015, has been responsible for Finance, Controlling and HR on the executive board. 

The company said: “As CFO, she has helped steer the group through volatile and turbulent times, combining outstanding entrepreneurial skill with an empathetic understanding of people and culture”. She’ll take over as CEO from March next year.

Michael Otto said of all this that “one of the biggest challenges facing family businesses is the successful handover from one generation to the next. My son will be the third generation to assume overall responsibility. I am very confident that Benjamin will not only lead the group into a sound economic future, but will also keep the special values of our family business alive. 

“Together with the highly experienced and socially committed Alexander Birken, the group will continue to exhibit strong entrepreneurial and value-oriented leadership. In Petra Scharner-Wolff, the executive board will soon be steered by an equally outstanding leader who has made her mark on the company”.