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. Her departure marks the end of a tenure that spanned both successes and significant challenges, as she noted in a statement. The move comes shortly after the company reached an important milestone with an agreed-upon restructuring plan, which Warntges cited as the reason for the timing of her exit.
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 restructuring of the leadership team underscores the company’s focus on stabilizing its operations and executing its strategic priorities. Warntges’s departure and the expanded role for Schultheis signal continuity in the restructuring process while streamlining decision-making at the top.
The leadership change matters for investors and stakeholders because Branicks is a leading German listed specialist for office and logistics real estate, managing properties with a market value of EUR 10.1 billion as of June 30, 2026. The company’s shares are listed in the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A1X3XX4). With Warntges’s exit, Schultheis takes on broader responsibilities, combining restructuring oversight with the day-to-day leadership of the Executive Board. His background as Chief Restructuring Officer suggests that cost control, deleveraging, and operational efficiency will remain central to the company’s agenda.
Warntges said: “The past few years have been marked by successes, but also - most recently - by significant challenges. With the agreed-upon restructuring plan, we have reached an important milestone. That is why now is the right time to hand over responsibility. I would like to thank the Supervisory Board, my colleagues on the Executive Board, and all employees for their cooperation, and I wish Branicks continued success.” The Supervisory Board Chairman thanked her for her dedication during various phases of the company’s development and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The announcement also comes as Branicks continues to emphasize sustainability, with top positions in ESG-relevant ratings such as Morningstar Sustainalytics and S&P Global CSA, and properties awarded certificates like DGNB, LEED, or BREEAM. For more details, visit www.branicks.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
