LONDON & FRANKFURT – Burson Cohn & Wolfe has announced its new leadership in Germany, promoting Susan Hoelling and Bjoern-Christian Hasse to co-CEO of its six operations in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf and Cologne.

Hoelling and Hasse succeed Wolfgang Lünenbürger-Reidenbach, who had led BCW Germany for five years and recently moved into an expanded regional role as head of creativity for Europe & Africa.

Both will continue working with their respective clients and in their core areas of expertise. Hoelling leads BCW’s healthcare business across the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), while Hasse will also continue to serve as BCW market leader in Switzerland and head of growth for Europe & Africa.

Hoelling began her career as a trainee at Cohn & Wolfe in 2006 and has overseen the health division since 2015. Hasse joined BCW from Edelman in May 2019, where he spent 15 years in a variety of roles, including eight years as global client relationship manager for 39 Novartis offices and as executive director of global clients.

The duo report to BCW’s Europe & Africa president Scott Wilson, who said: “Susan and Bjoern have outstanding track records as two of our smartest consultants and practitioners and nothing gives me greater pleasure than being able to promote from within the organisation. They are known for their determination and commitment, and I am confident that under their leadership, BCW is well-placed to deliver on our ambitions in Germany.”

Wilson said the new leadership model sent a strong message for the type of business BCW was trying to build: “Both Susan and Bjoern manage families and careers – they call this their Doppelspitze – so a dual leadership team feels like the perfect fit and an important sign for our industry in these changing times.”

Hoelling said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to co-lead the diverse and talented BCW team in Germany together with Bjoern. It was immediately clear to us that we wanted to lead as a dual leadership team. Combining our strengths, we will double down to take BCW Germany to the next level.”

Hasse added: “Susan and I quickly realised that we share a common understanding of leadership and a shared vision of how we wish to develop the BCW Germany operation. These challenging times require new ways of thinking, acting and leading. Covid-19 has shown us how different all our life realities are and helping our colleagues, clients, and business to grow and succeed in this new world will therefore be a critical focus.”