Leadership Change at Rothe Erde – Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs to Succeed Winfried Schulte

After more than three decades of successful service within the thyssenkrupp Group, Winfried Schulte, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rothe Erde, will retire effective October 1, 2025. He will be succeeded by Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs.

Winfried Schulte started his career in 1992 as a trainee at Hoesch Rothe Erde in Dortmund, later advancing through various leadership roles. In 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of Rothe Erde. Under his leadership, the company has steadily developed, solidifying its position as a leading global manufacturer of large slewing bearings and seamless rolled rings. It serves critical industries such as energy, mechanical engineering, infrastructure, mobility, and aerospace.

Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs is a materials engineering PhD with over 25 years of international leadership experience across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, North and South America, and the Middle East. She began her career at Bekaert NV, a leading global provider of metal-based solutions, progressing through several senior international roles, culminating in her most recent appointment as CEO of the international Animal-Management division at the Gallagher Group. In this position, she was responsible for driving global growth and multiple acquisitions. Dr. Jacobs also served as a non-executive director on the boards of BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand), Goodnature Ltd., and the publicly listed company RAKON Ltd., but she relinquished these roles upon her return to Europe. She holds both Belgian and New Zealand citizenship, reflecting her deeply international background.