Our organization
Executive Board
GEA’s business is managed by an Executive Board that comprises three members. The committee constitutes the management body of GEA Group and is responsible for running the international company with operations all around the globe. The Executive Board represents the group, both internally and externally, and organizes the general management of its business. The members of GEA’s Executive Board are appointed by the Supervisory Board for a term of three years, respectively, with a renewal of the mandate being possible.
Chairman of the Executive Board
Stefan Klebert
Since February 2019 Stefan Klebert has been the Chairman of the Executive Board of which he has been a member since November 2018 (appointed until December 2026).
In his capacity as a member of the Executive Board, he is responsible for all five Divisions as well as the Regions & Countries organizations. Furthermore, he fills the role of Labor Relations Director. In addition to Human Resources, he also oversees Sustainability, Digitalization, Group Communications & Brand, and Corporate Legal, Compliance & Insurance.
Before joining the company, Stefan Klebert was at the helm of Schuler AG, holding the reins of the international industrial group for a period of eight years as CEO. At the start of his career, he worked in the automation technology division of Festo in the field of sales and marketing. In addition, he has filled senior management positions in various stock-listed companies, including the role of managing director in the elevator industry at Schindler and that of divisional board member at Thyssenkrupp.
Stefan Klebert, born in Stuttgart, Germany, in June 1965, is a fully trained mechanic, studied mechanical engineering at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Brunel University, London, UK.
In his capacity as a member of the Executive Board, he is responsible for all five Divisions as well as the Regions & Countries organizations. Furthermore, he fills the role of Labor Relations Director. In addition to Human Resources, he also oversees Sustainability, Digitalization, Group Communications & Brand, and Corporate Legal, Compliance & Insurance.
Before joining the company, Stefan Klebert was at the helm of Schuler AG, holding the reins of the international industrial group for a period of eight years as CEO. At the start of his career, he worked in the automation technology division of Festo in the field of sales and marketing. In addition, he has filled senior management positions in various stock-listed companies, including the role of managing director in the elevator industry at Schindler and that of divisional board member at Thyssenkrupp.
Stefan Klebert, born in Stuttgart, Germany, in June 1965, is a fully trained mechanic, studied mechanical engineering at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Brunel University, London, UK.
Chief Financial Officer
Bernd Brinker
Bernd Brinker joined the Executive Board as CFO in October 2023 (appointed until June 2027). All divisional CFOs report to him and he is also responsible for Corporate Finance, Corporate Accounting, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Tax, Customs & Foreign Trade, Internal Audit, Investor Relations, Mergers & Acquisitions, Information Security, and the global IT organization.
Bernd Brinker began his career in 1991, working in the finance department of the former VIAG AG. Between 1996 and 2014, he held various management positions, notably in the areas of Treasury, Investor Relations, Portfolio Management and M&A at SKW Trostberg AG, Degussa AG and Evonik Industries AG. In 2014, he assumed his first group CFO position at the then family-owned DORMA Holding GmbH & Co. KGaA, which in the following year merged with Swiss-based Kaba Holding AG to form the publicly traded dormakaba Holding AG. During his tenure as Group CFO at dormakaba, Bernd Brinker oversaw functions including Controlling, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, M&A, Investor Relations, IT and Internal Audit.
Bernd Brinker was born in Rheine, Germany, in January 1965. After completing a banking apprenticeship, he earned a business administration degree at the University of Cologne.
Bernd Brinker began his career in 1991, working in the finance department of the former VIAG AG. Between 1996 and 2014, he held various management positions, notably in the areas of Treasury, Investor Relations, Portfolio Management and M&A at SKW Trostberg AG, Degussa AG and Evonik Industries AG. In 2014, he assumed his first group CFO position at the then family-owned DORMA Holding GmbH & Co. KGaA, which in the following year merged with Swiss-based Kaba Holding AG to form the publicly traded dormakaba Holding AG. During his tenure as Group CFO at dormakaba, Bernd Brinker oversaw functions including Controlling, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, M&A, Investor Relations, IT and Internal Audit.
Bernd Brinker was born in Rheine, Germany, in January 1965. After completing a banking apprenticeship, he earned a business administration degree at the University of Cologne.
Member of the Executive Board and COO
Johannes Giloth
Johannes Giloth has been a member of the Executive Board and COO since January 2020 (appointed until January 2028). He is responsible for a newly created portfolio assuming responsibility for the company’s worldwide purchasing activities, global production and supply chain as well as Corporate Responsibility & QHSE and Corporate Real Estate Management.
Johannes Giloth comes from the Nokia telecommunications group, where he has, until recently, held the position of Chief Procurement and Chief Supply Chain Officer for several years. Prior to that, he served in various management positions in the areas of procurement, logistics and production with Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks. He began his career in the field of management consulting with Siemens Management Consulting and Gemini Consulting.
Johannes Giloth was born in Worms, Germany, in October 1970. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and Engineering.
Johannes Giloth comes from the Nokia telecommunications group, where he has, until recently, held the position of Chief Procurement and Chief Supply Chain Officer for several years. Prior to that, he served in various management positions in the areas of procurement, logistics and production with Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks. He began his career in the field of management consulting with Siemens Management Consulting and Gemini Consulting.
Johannes Giloth was born in Worms, Germany, in October 1970. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and Engineering.
