Christoph Vilanek Elected Supervisory Board Chairman as Thomas Dannenfeldt Prepares to Step Down

Christoph Vilanek Elected Supervisory Board Chairman as Thomas Dannenfeldt Prepares to Step Down

(IN BRIEF) Thomas Dannenfeldt will step down as Chairman of CECONOMY AG’s Supervisory Board at the end of July 2025. Christoph Vilanek, a long-standing board member and former CEO of freenet AG, has been chosen as his successor. The Executive Board praised Dannenfeldt’s leadership since 2021, during which he rebuilt the executive team and restored the company’s competitive edge. Vilanek’s extensive governance and industry experience equip him to continue guiding CECONOMY’s strategic growth alongside CEO Dr. Kai-Ulrich Deissner.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 16-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — CECONOMY AG announces that Thomas Dannenfeldt will resign as Chairman of its Supervisory Board for personal reasons at the end of July 2025. In an extraordinary board session, veteran member Christoph Vilanek—who most recently concluded his tenure as CEO of freenet AG on June 1—was elected to succeed Dannenfeldt.

Mr. Vilanek has served on CECONOMY’s Supervisory Board since 2019 and brings a deep understanding of the company’s operations and market environment. His extensive leadership experience positions him well to guide the board in steering CECONOMY through its next phase of growth.

The Executive Board expressed gratitude for Mr. Dannenfeldt’s leadership since February 2021, noting his role in assembling a new executive team, revitalizing competitiveness, and laying the groundwork for the company’s current expansion.

“Thomas Dannenfeldt provided clarity and insightful counsel as we refined our strategy,” said Dr. Kai-Ulrich Deissner, CEO of CECONOMY AG. “I thank him for his service and look forward to advancing our strategic goals alongside Christoph Vilanek.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Dannenfeldt stated,

“Over the past four years, we transformed CECONOMY into a future-ready organisation with a customer-centric culture. I wish Christoph every success—his expertise makes him the ideal leader for the Supervisory Board.”

Upon his election, Mr. Vilanek remarked,

“I appreciate the board’s confidence and am eager to collaborate with the Executive Board. Having witnessed CECONOMY’s positive trajectory since 2019, I will work to sustain our strategic momentum.”

About CECONOMY AG
CECONOMY AG simplifies life in the digital world. The company is a leader for concepts and brands such as MediaMarkt, MediaWorld and Saturn in the consumer electronics sector in Europe. The companies in the CECONOMY portfolio have billions of consumer contacts per year and offer products, services and solutions that make life in the digital world as easy and convenient as possible. In this way, they create added value for customers and investors alike.

Media Contact:

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E-Mail: presse@mediamarktsaturn.com

SOURCE: CECONOMY AG