I have practised the profession of self-employed lawyer – intermittently along with other activities – since the establishment of my first law firm in 1985. I have always seen myself primarily as a consultant who tries to avoid conflicts and to devise reasonable compromises. The courtroom is not my domain. This will remain so in the future.
The experience that I have been able to gain in more than 30 years working as a lawyer, politician, member of the Supervisory Board and company director forms the basis of the skills and competences which I provide to my contracting entities and clients. This leads to the clear focal points of my work:
Design and reorganisation of corporate structures
Membership in Supervisory Boards and Advisory Councils
Monitoring and design of corporate succession
Dealing with the challenges of government regulations
Dispute resolution and membership in courts of arbitration.
Today, I can draw on my experience in the fields of law and economics as part of my professorship for Management Practice in regulated sectors of the economy.
Loyalty to my clients and incredibly longstanding business relationships have shaped me and will continue to be important features of my professional activity. I do not lead a large team, but I do offer my personal service.
Professional experience in Corporate Governance functions:
2019 – present
Member of the Supervisory Board of iQ International AG, Zug/Schweiz
2017 – present
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Peter Dussmann Foundation
2015 – present
VODAFONE Germany Member of the Supervisory Board
2019 – 2022
Member of the Advisory Board of Circuits Capital LLP, London
2016 – 2021
UBS Europe SE Chairman of the Supervisory Board Chairman of the Nomination Committee Chairman of the Compensation Committee
2011 – 2016
UBS Deutschland AG Chairman of the Supervisory Board Chairman of the Compensation Supervisory Committee
2011 – 2014
German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations Member of the Presiding Board
2012 – 2014
American Chamber of Commerce in Germany Member of the Board of Directors
2003 – 2013
Hessische Staatsweingüter GmbH Chairman of the Supervisory Board
2002 – 2011
Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) Member of the Board of Directors (from 2007-2011 Deputy Chairman)
2002 – 2010
Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Member of the Board of Directors Member of the Executive Committee
1999 – 2003
FRAPORT AG Chairman of the Supervisory Board (IPO 2001)
1995 – 1999
Triumph International AG, Munich Member of the Supervisory Board Also representative of the company as tariff partner
Chairmanship in the following foundations:
2021 – present
Ludwig Erhard Foundation e.V.
Chairman of the Board
2013 – present
Deutsche Tuberöse Sklerose Stiftung (German Tuberous Sclerosis Foundation) Founder and foundation’s board of directors (together with wife Anke)
2010 – present
Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung GmbH, Berlin (German Children and Youth Foundation) Chairman of the shareholders’ meeting
2002 – present
Rheingau Musikfestival GmbH Chairman of the Board of Trustees
2005 – 2010
Flughafenstiftung Frankfurt-Rhein-Main (Frankfurt-Rhein-Main Airport Foundation) Chairman of the Executive Board
1999 – 2010
Hessische Kulturstiftung (Hessian Cultural Foundation) Chairman of the Board of Trustees