With deep sadness, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft announces the sudden and unexpected death of Chief Financial Officer Marcus A. Ketter, who passed away on the 6th of August 2023 at the age of only 55.
“We are shocked and devastated by this loss. With Marcus Ketter, GEA loses an outstanding CFO and a highly valued individual whose drive, professional excellence and distinctive sense of humor will be greatly missed. Personally, I am also losing a dear and loyal friend. On behalf of all GEA employees, I extend our deepest condolences to Marcus’ wife, his two children and his entire family,” says CEO Stefan Klebert.
Marcus A. Ketter has been a member of GEA’s Executive Board since May 2019. At that time, the economics graduate came from the steel and metal distributor Klöckner & Co. SE, where he worked for six years as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he was CFO of Schuler AG and held various management positions at Thyssenkrupp. During his tenure at GEA, Marcus A. Ketter helped shape the company’s turnaround. In particular, the strong reduction in net working capital and the associated improvement in ROCE and net liquidity are worthy of mention. He also played a major role in regaining the confidence of the capital market.
Until Marcus A. Ketter’s successor is appointed, CEO Stefan Klebert and COO Johannes Giloth will assume his responsibilities until further notice.
