Leadership transition at H&Z Management Consulting: Michael Santo passes the torch
Michael Santo, the managing partner of H&Z Management Consulting, has announced his departure from the firm, passing the baton to Stefan Aichbauer, Harald Enz and Stephan Deussen, all of whom have held key leadership positions for many years.
The retirement of Michael Santo marks the end of more than 20 years of service at the firm, including over a decade as a board member and managing partner. During his tenure, Santo played a pivotal role in growing H&Z Management Consulting from a €5 million, Germany-focused consultancy into an internationally operating group with over €120 million in revenue.
“It fills me with gratitude and pride to look back on more than two decades at H&Z Management Consulting,” Santo reflected. “What began as a founder-led consultancy is now a powerful European group with a clear strategic direction. It has been a great pleasure for me to help shape this journey alongside exceptional colleagues.”
“Having worked closely with Stefan, Harald, and Stephan for many years, as well as with the wider management team, I am confident that I am leaving the firm in capable hands. With a clear vision and outstanding people, H&Z is well positioned for the future,” he continued.
In a joint statement, Aichbauer, Deussen, and Enz expressed their gratitude for Santo’s lasting impact at H&Z Management Consulting. “Michael has played a key role in shaping the firm. We sincerely thank him for his entrepreneurial vision, his drive, and his inspiring leadership.”
Beyond H&Z Management Consulting, Santo also contributed significantly to the development of the Transformation Alliance – a leading network of European consulting firms. Other members include Cordial, Kéa, MBS Consulting, and Q5. Santo served as a long-time President of the network.
The future
Looking ahead, Aichbauer, Deussen, and Enz stated that H&Z Management Consulting, which is private equity-backed, is well positioned to continue its growth trajectory, both organically and through targeted acquisitions.
“Our strategy remains clear: we aim to continue growing and, above all, expanding our impact alongside our clients. We rely on deep industry expertise, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships to achieve this.”
