Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has confirmed that Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor, currently CEO of the Vitrolife Group in Sweden, will assume the role of CEO on December 1, 2026. On the same date, she will join the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG with responsibility for the Medical Technology segment. Her appointment as successor to current CEO Andreas Pecher was first announced in May 2026, but the start date is now finalized. Pecher has served as interim CEO since January 1, 2026, while also holding the position of President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG.
The leadership change matters because it places an executive with deep international medtech experience at the helm of one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. Carl Zeiss Meditec, listed on the TecDAX and SDAX, generated revenue of EUR 2,228 million in fiscal year 2024/25 and employs 5,784 people worldwide. With more than 50 percent of its employees based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France, the company’s success depends on strong global coordination and customer-focused innovation. O’Connor’s background spans leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, Covidien (later acquired by Medtronic), Thermo Fisher Scientific, and since 2023, Vitrolife Group. She has worked in Ireland, Spain, the U.K., Switzerland, Sweden and the U.S., giving her a broad perspective on the medtech landscape.
“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,” O’Connor said. Her appointment signals continuity in strategy but also an acceleration of transformation. Peter Kameritsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, noted that she brings “a strong customer and innovation perspective to the company.” Dr. Michael Bolle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG, added that O’Connor “will now be able to further advance the strategy and transformation of the Medical Technology segment forward and contribute to the success of the ZEISS Group.”
Effective December 1, 2026, the Management Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will comprise 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), O’Connor (Head of the ZEISS Medical Technology segment), Sven Hermann (Head of Consumer Markets), Dr. Frank Rohmund (Head of Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology), and Dr. Marc Wawerla (Head of Industrial Quality & Research). This structure clarifies leadership responsibilities across ZEISS’s business segments, potentially streamlining decision-making and resource allocation.
For investors and industry observers, the confirmed start date removes uncertainty about the interim leadership period. Pecher’s dual role as CEO of both Carl Zeiss AG and interim CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will end, allowing him to focus fully on the group level. The transition also highlights ZEISS’s commitment to advancing its medical technology business, which develops solutions for diagnosing and treating eye diseases and visualization solutions for microsurgery. O’Connor’s experience in women’s health, immunodiagnostics, and cardiovascular care could bring fresh insights to the segment’s innovation pipeline. As the company continues to navigate a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, her leadership will be closely watched for its impact on growth, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. More details about the company can be found at www.zeiss.com/newsroom and www.zeiss.com/med.
