Hartmann Steps into Wübbenhorst's Shoes at GfK

IBM veteran Matthias Hartmann has officially taken up the post of Chief Executive Officer of GfK, replacing Professor Dr. Klaus L. Wübbenhorst who has stepped down.

Hartmann, who was named as Wübbenhorst's successor in August, most recently served as IBM's Global Head of Strategy and Industries, where he was responsible for the worldwide direction of the firm's Global Business Services consulting group. He joined IBM in 1988, and spent six years in the banking and insurance divisions in Germany, Europe and the USA, before holding various positions in the former IBM Unternehmensberatung GmbH.

In his new role as GfK's CEO, which he has taken for an initial three year period, Hartmann is responsible for the corporate and IT strategies of the group, along with the internal audit, marketing sciences, corporate communications and marketing, strategic succession management and personnel development.

Wübbenhorst, who leaves for personal reasons after more than 20 years with the company, announced his decision to step down in February, citing personal reasons.

Web site: www.gfk.com .