The Bertelsmann Supervisory Board has appointed BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld to the Group Executive Board. Coesfeld will continue to serve as CEO, a position he’s held since July 2023.

“In his various management functions and now as CEO of BMG, Thomas has advanced and focused the business with strategic skill and excellent entrepreneurial instincts,” said Christoph Mohn, chairman of the Bertelsmann Supervisory Board. “I am delighted that Thomas will now be contributing his experience and skills for the development of Bertelsmann as a whole as a member of the Executive Board.”

Bertelsmann Chairman & CEO Thomas Rabe said: “As CEO of BMG, Thomas has made important decisions for the future of the business, for example by bringing digital distribution in house and using artificial intelligence in various areas of the music business. Thomas will enrich the work of the Management Board as well.”

Coesfeld said, “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for the trust they have placed in me.” He thanked Rabe “for his constant support” and added, “I see a great opportunity and at the same time an obligation to further develop Bertelsmann and the BMG division with full commitment.”

Prior to serving as CEO, Coesfeld was CFO of BMG, appointed in April 2021. He had already been a member of the company’s management board since October 2020. As CEO, Coesfeld realigned the division with the BMG Next strategy, focusing on its high-growth core businesses of publishing and recorded music, and on digital revenue streams and the use of new technologies.