PwC installs new leadership team in Germany led by Marc Billeb

PwC has appointed a new leadership team in Germany, led by CEO Marc Billeb. The 53-year-old succeeds Petra Justenhoven, who did not stand for another four-year mandate.

Billeb officially started in his new role this week, although his appointment was announced in December last year. Over the past seven months, he worked closely with Justenhoven to ensure a smooth transition.

The 58-year-old Justenhoven decided not to seek another term as Germany chief because PwC’s internal regulations require partners to leave the firm by the age of 60. As a result, she would not have been able to complete a full four-year term.

Billeb has been with PwC since 1998 and most recently led the firm’s Risk and Regulatory practice in Germany. Based in Frankfurt, he is recognised as a financial markets expert, specialising in regulatory issues across multiple industries and risk management. In addition to his German responsibilities, he also holds several international roles within PwC’s global network.

The new PwC Germany chief was selected following an internal election among the firm’s approximately 700 partners in Germany. Billeb secured the majority of votes in the first round, beating competition from, among others, Dietmar Prümm and Damir Maras.

Notably, both Prümm and Maras were already members of Justenhoven’s executive board, while Billeb was not. Sources within PwC told Handelsblatt that his position as an external candidate to the existing leadership team may have worked in his favour. Billeb’s appointment was also supported by senior partners across PwC’s international network. “The fact that partners from six countries placed their trust in me means a great deal – and is both a motivation and a responsibility,” Billeb said.

New leadership team

Following his appointment, Billeb has introduced a new leadership team consisting of senior leaders from PwC’s business lines, industry practices and support functions. The team consist of Anne Witt, Clemens Koch, Erik Hummitzsch, Petra Raspels, Robert Paffen, Sounia Kombert, Stefan Frühauf, Susanne Arnoldy and Sven Hauke.

PwC is the largest professional services firm in Germany among the Big Four in the country, ahead of Deloitte, KPMG and EY. Under Billeb’s leadership, the leadership team will oversee a business generating approximately €3.3 billion in annual revenues and employing more than 15,000 people across 20 locations.

“I look forward to this journey with our leadership team,” Billeb said. “As the market leader in Germany, we have a responsibility towards our clients and towards actively and responsibly shaping the transformation of business and society. We are determined to embrace this responsibility and create impact together.”

Focus on clients, technology and talent

In a personal LinkedIn post, Billeb outlined several priorities for his leadership period, highlighting PwC’s integrated offering as a key differentiator.

“Having Assurance, Consulting, Tax & Legal and Deals under one roof is what makes us unique,” he said. “This combination of audit and advisory services remains at the heart of our DNA. It enables us to analyse our clients’ challenges strategically and provide holistic solutions. We will continue to build on this and expand.”

Technology will also be a major focus, with Billeb emphasising the importance of combining innovation with practical business value. “For me, technology itself is not the main focus – its tangible value is,” he said. “Our clients expect solutions that improve their processes, strengthen their competitiveness and build trust.”

Alongside technology, Billeb identified talent development as another key priority. “Transformation can only succeed together,” he said. “That is why it is a key priority for me to bring our people along on this journey and support their continued development. We need technological expertise, a modern mindset and, above all, the ability to bring people and technology together in meaningful ways. We will continue to investing in upskilling our people at all levels.”