Both Coesfeld<\/strong> brothers are the grandchildren of Reinhard Mohn (1921-2009), who transformed Germany-headquartered Bertelsmann from a provincial printing press into a global media publishing house.<\/p>\n In addition to BMG<\/strong>, Bertelsmann \u2013 which is 100% family-owned \u2013 houses other media properties including RTL Group, plus the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, and the service provider Arvato Group.<\/p>\n 35-year-old Thomas Coesfeld won’t succeed the current Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, Thomas Rabe<\/strong>, until January 1, 2027 \u2013 after Rabe’s contract expires on December 31, 2026.<\/p>\n Update: A BMG spokesperson confirmed today that Coesfeld will lead both BMG and Bertelsmann<\/span> in a dual role when he succeeds Thomas Rabe<\/strong> in 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n Christoph Mohn<\/strong>, Chairman of the Bertelsmann Supervisory Board, said: \u201cOn behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to congratulate Thomas Coesfeld on his appointment as the next Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann. As both an entrepreneur and a manager, he has all the qualities needed to lead Bertelsmann successfully and ensure the company\u2019s continuity.<\/p>\n “Over the past ten years at Bertelsmann, I have come to know Thomas Coesfeld as an entrepreneurial leader. In recent years, he has taken the music company BMG to significantly higher levels of revenue and earnings and positioned it even more firmly for the streaming age. His appointment marks a generational change in Bertelsmann\u2019s leadership. I wish him every success and a steady entrepreneurial hand.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas Rabe<\/strong>, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: \u201cI am very pleased with the Supervisory Board\u2019s decision and congratulate Thomas Coesfeld on behalf of the entire Executive Board. We have worked closely and with great trust for many years, and I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition. Bertelsmann\u2019s leadership will be in excellent hands with him and his team.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas Coesfeld<\/strong>, CEO of BMG and future Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: \u201cI would like to thank the Supervisory Board \u2013 and in particular its Chairman, Christoph Mohn \u2013 for the trust they have placed in me. I am very much looking forward to assuming responsibility for leading Bertelsmann. It is a challenge I will take on with the full support of the Executive Board, top management, and all employees.\u201d<\/p>\n Coesfeld<\/strong> was\u00a0appointed as CEO<\/a> of BMG on July 1, 2023, succeeding Hartwig Masuch<\/a>\u00a0in the role.<\/p>\n Coesfeld was previously Chief Financial Officer of BMG from April 2021, and before that was Deputy Chief Financial Officer of BMG from October 2020.<\/p>\n Under Coesfeld<\/strong>, BMG<\/a>\u00a0generated EUR \u20ac963 million (USD $1.04bn)<\/strong> in annual revenues in 2024, up\u00a06.4% YoY<\/strong>\u00a0or up\u00a08.1% YoY<\/strong>\u00a0on an organic basis.<\/p>\n BMG\u2019s<\/strong> adjusted operating EBITDA in 2024 reached an all-time high of EUR \u20ac265 million ($287m)<\/strong>, up\u00a037% YoY<\/strong>\u00a0compared to the\u00a0prior year\u2019s equivalent result<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0\u20ac194 million ($210m)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, BMG published<\/a> its H1 2025 results (to end of June), showing a 4.4% YoY decline<\/strong> in organic revenues.<\/p>\n
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