BrazilBCG names Matthias Tauber as CEO for Germany and Austria
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has named Matthias Tauber as its next CEO of Germany and Austria, as of April 1. Tauber, 40, succeeds Carsten Kratz, who will transition into the newly created post of chairman of BCG’s German board of directors.
Kratz has led BCG’s management team for Germany and Austria since 2013. He will step down following the completion of two terms as managing director of Boston Consulting Group Germany and Austria, with six years the maximum period as outlined in BCG’s statutes. During this period, he oversaw tremendous success. When he joined, BCG had annual revenue of around €500 million in the two countries. Upon his exit, the firm forecasts its turnover will hover around the €930 million mark*.
Internally, Kratz is known as 'Mister DACH,' a nickname earned through his faithfulness to the region and his strong relationships with some of the most important CEOs of German industry, including Siemens boss Joe Kaeser. Kratz also works with leaders in the airline, automotive, energy, industrial goods, healthcare, private equity, and government sectors.
Tauber was named CEO after a rigorous selection process in which eight partners were shortlisted, including tech expert Michael Rüßmann, senior partner Christian Krammer – who are both members of the national management team – and automotive expert Andreas Dinger, who heads the Munich office. Judith Wallenstein, a partner in BCG’s pharmaceuticals practice, was also touted for the role.
BCG’s European leader Christoph Schweizer held one-on-one talks with nearly all of the firm’s approximately 170 partners in Germany and Austria, in the end finding that the decision for Tauber was clear.
According to reports leaked to German newspaper Handelsblatt, Tauber is valued internally because he is committed to promoting and advancing the members of his teams – Schweizer speaking of 'broad support' in the partner group. The final decision was naturally supported by Hubertus Meinecke, BCG's Western Europe head, and global boss Rich Lesser.
Tauber's appointment comes to an extent as a surprise, because of his age – he was one of the youngest candidates – and the fact that he is not currently a member of German management. Tauber, however, heads BCG’s materials and process industries sector globally, as well as in central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In that role, he is a member of the global leadership team of BCG’s Industrial Goods practice. This experience has given Tauber broad insight, working with clients across the globe.
One factor that greatly aided Tauber’s case was his track record of growth. In the past two years, he has almost doubled the turnover of his industry’s segment. Tauber also knows international business while remaining anchored in Germany, as he is stationed in BCG’s Munich office.
According to a BCG partner who wishes to remain anonymous, Kratz was quite popular internally. “Many colleagues find it a pity that he is stepping down,” the source said. “But it is just as important that we renew ourselves.” In the coming months and the period shortly following April 1, Kratz will shadow his successor. In his new role as chairman, he will oversee BCG’s strategy in Germany and Austria, and oversee the care of large customers, recruiting, and future external communication.
BCG is aiming at high single-digit growth in 2019, which Kratz describes as “healthy growth”. The crossing of the billion-euro mark is deemed to be Tauber's task.
* BCG Germany and Austria does not reveal exact figures. Data is based on estimates from Consultancy.eu, Handelsblatt, and Manager Magazin.
