Oliver Jakobi becomes interim CEO
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Board of Directors appoints Oliver Jakobi as interim CEO
Global health-tech company Ottobock’s Board of Directors together with current CEO Philipp Schulte-Noelle have decided by mutual agreement that he will leave the company, resigning from both the Executive Board and the Board of Directors. His role as CEO will be taken over ad interim by Oliver Jakobi, in addition to his current function as Chief Sales Officer (CSO).
“In general, Ottobock continues to target a potential IPO. Under the leadership of Philipp Schulte-Noelle as CEO, the company has become ready for the capital market,” says Professor Hans Georg Näder, owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA. “Due to the current geopolitical situation and its impact on the capital markets, an IPO is not desirable for us until further notice. Therefore, we want to focus even more thouroughly on our operating business, strong customer demand and the sustainable increase of our successful growth. Consequently, we have restructured the Executive Board and will be looking for a new CEO.”
“I would like to thank Philipp Schulte-Noelle very much for his successful work. Under his leadership, our company has successfully taken decisive steps from being a hidden champion to a company that is ready for the capital market,” says Näder. “At the same time, I am pleased that Oliver Jakobi, an expert voice for our company, our customers and our markets for many years, will take over the CEO office on an interim basis.”
“Ottobock has successfully continued to implement its growth strategy in a challenging environment over the past year. With these personnel changes, we are now creating the prerequisites to be optimally positioned for the next growth phase,” says Marcus Brennecke, Member of the Board of Directors and Global Co-Head Private Equity at EQT.
Ottobock's annual financial statement for the 2021 financial year proves that the company was able to significantly increase sales by around 13 percent and further improve the adjusted operating result in a very challenging environment. Ottobock is ideally positioned to continue this growth momentum and optimally serve the increasing demand from patients and users worldwide.
About Ottobock
For more than 100 years, Ottobock has been developing innovative fitting solutions for people with reduced mobility. As a Human Empowerment Company, Ottobock promotes freedom of movement, quality for life and independence. This is supported by more than 8,000 employees. With innovative power, outstanding technical solutions and services in the fields of Prosthetics, Orthotics, NeuroMobility and Patient Care, they enable people in more than 130 countries to live their lives the way they want them to. As the world market leader in wearable human bionics, the company founded in 1919 is constantly setting new standards and pushing ahead with the digitalisation of the industry – together with its partners, the medical supply companies and international research institutions. Since 2018, Ottobock has been transferring its expertise in biomechanics to exoskeletons for ergonomic workplaces. The international activities of the company are coordinated from the head office in Duderstadt (state of Lower Saxony). Ottobock has been supporting the Paralympic Games with its technical expertise since 1988.
Mark C. Schneider
Vice President Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA, Prenzlauer Allee 242, 10405 Berlin
Handy: +49 151 146 591 35
E-Mail: MarkC.Schneider@ottobock.de