The Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE has unanimously appointed Stephan Sturm (52) as Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius as of July 1, 2016. Stephan Sturm succeeds Ulf Mark Schneider (50), who has decided to leave the company effective June 30, 2016 to pursue another opportunity.

Ulf Mark Schneider assumed his current position as CEO of Fresenius on May 28, 2003. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth. Group sales have increased fourfold and net income rose more than twelvefold.

Gerd Krick, Chairman of Fresenius Management SE’s Supervisory Board, commented: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board I would like to thank Ulf Mark Schneider for his extraordinary leadership and tremendous accomplishments over the past 13 years. He has led Fresenius through a period of exciting and sustainable growth and has truly transformed the company. While we regret his departure we wish him the very best for his future endeavors.”

Stephan Sturm has served as Fresenius Group’s Chief Financial Officer since January 1, 2005. In this capacity he has made significant contributions to develop Fresenius into a leading global healthcare group. He has played a key role in major acquisitions. His innovative and highly successful financing activities facilitated the company’s strong and sustainable growth. Stephan Sturm has also assured the company’s overall efficiency and profitability during this major expansion.

Gerd Krick said: “We are delighted to appoint Stephan Sturm as our new CEO. The Supervisory Board could not have wished for a better qualified and experienced leader to succeed Ulf Mark Schneider in this role. Stephan Sturm has been a member of the Fresenius Management Board for more than 11 years. He has a highly successful track-record as the Group’s CFO and has made major contributions towards executing our successful growth strategy. The appointment of Stephan Sturm as the Fresenius Group’s new CEO demonstrates continuity at the helm of the company. He has the full support of the Supervisory Board and we look forward to working with him as we continue to grow our business.”

Stephan Sturm said: “I am approaching my new role with both excitement and respect. The future of Fresenius continues to look bright. I am fully committed to meeting our targets, executing on our growth strategy and contributing to affordable high-quality healthcare around the globe.”

Fresenius confirms its guidance for 2016. Sales are expected to increase by 6% to 8% in constant currency. Net income* is expected to grow by 8% to 12% in constant currency. The company also confirms its mid-term outlook: For 2019, Group sales are expected to reach €36 billion to €40 billion**. Group net income*** is expected to increase to €2.0 billion to €2.25 billion**.

*     Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA; 2015 before special items
**   At comparable exchange rates; including small and mid-size acquisitions
*** Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

At its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA nominated the following candidates for election to the Supervisory Board by the Annual General Meeting on May 13, 2016:

• Prof. Dr. med. D. Michael Albrecht, Medical Director and Spokesman of the Management Board of the Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden; member of the Supervisory Board since 2011
• Michael Diekmann, former Chief Executive Officer of Allianz SE; member of the Supervisory Board since 2015
• Dr. Gerd Krick, former Chief Executive Officer of Fresenius AG; member of the Supervisory Board since 2003
• Prof. Dr. med. Iris Löw-Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Head of Development and Medical Patient Value Practices at UCB S.A.
• Klaus-Peter Müller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Commerzbank AG; member of the Supervisory Board since 2008
• Hauke Stars, Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Börse AG

If elected by the Annual General Meeting, Prof. Dr. med. Iris Löw-Friedrich und Ms. Hauke Stars will join the Supervisory Board as new shareholder representatives. Prof. Dr. Roland Berger, a member since 2008, and Gerhard Roggemann, a member from 1998 to 2004 and again since 2011, will leave the Supervisory Board at the close of the Annual General Meeting.

All candidates are nominated for a five-year term, ending with the close of the 2021 Annual General Meeting. If re-elected to the Supervisory Board, Dr. Gerd Krick will be proposed for election as Chairman.

The Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA consists of 12 members. The six employee representatives are elected by the European works council.

Dr. Gerd Krick, Michael Diekmann and Klaus-Peter Müller, as well as Dr. Dieter Schenk, a lawyer and tax consultant, and Dr. Karl Schneider, former Spokesman of the Management Board of Südzucker AG, are nominated for re-election to the Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE. Effective on May 13, 2016, Prof. Dr. Roland Berger will leave the Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE. Dr. Kurt Bock, Chief Executive Officer of BASF SE, is nominated to join the Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE.

As the general partner, Fresenius Management SE manages Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA. The Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE, which consists of six members and is not subject to employee co-determination, appoints the Management Board of Fresenius Management SE.

The invitation and complete agenda for the Annual General Meeting of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, to be held on May 13, 2016, will be published on March 31, 2016.