“By selecting Aart De Geus as my successor, the Board of Trustees has appointed an internationally experienced expert with outstanding contacts around the globe,” Thielen said. “In addition, by choosing the 56-year-old, the board has begun a gradual changing-of-the-guard to a new generation.”
“With his impressive experience, Aart De Geus will be able to help the Bertelsmann Stiftung achieve a stronger international focus,” said Prof. Werner J. Bauer, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We are confident that he will continue to advance the extremely successful work carried out by Gunter Thielen, thereby ensuring continuity in the foundation’s activities.”
“Aart De Geus has quickly won over everyone at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, thanks to his extensive experience in numerous cultural contexts and his outstanding ability to lead,” said Liz Mohn, vice-chair of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board. “I wish him every success in his role as chairman and CEO and am much looking forward to working with him.”
As deputy secretary-general of the OECD, De Geus was responsible for the areas of employment, social affairs, pensions, health, migration, education, public governance, territorial development, entrepreneurship, gender and the horizontal project Making Reform Happen. In his role as Dutch minister of social affairs and employment, he worked together with businesses, unions and other groups to introduce far-reaching reforms in employment and labor market policy.
In addition to De Geus (chairman), the other members of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board include Liz Mohn (vice-chair), Dr. Jörg Dräger and Dr. Brigitte Mohn.
About the Bertelsmann Stiftung
The Bertelsmann Stiftung is dedicated to serving the common good. It executes projects in its four core areas of education, business and social affairs, health, and international relations, and strives to promote peaceful coexistence among the world's diverse cultures. Through the example of its civic engagement, it wants to encourage others to support their own communities as well. Founded in 1977 as a registered charity, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is majority shareholder of Bertelsmann AG. Structured as a private operating foundation, it is politically nonpartisan and works independently of Bertelsmann AG. The Bertelsmann Stiftung currently employs 316 people and has a budget of approximately €60 million.