Rohde & Schwarz expands Executive Board

Rohde & Schwarz is strategically positioned to address key future connectivity and security technologies and has a strong market position. The company has grown for several years in succession. The appointment of a third Executive Board member is now laying the foundation for the future development of the technology group.

With Andreas Pauly (53), Rohde & Schwarz has bolstered its top management team from within the company’s own ranks. Pauly joined the Test & Measurement Division in 1996. In 2003, he qualified for his first management position and in 2015 was appointed Vice President Signal Generators, Audio Analyzers and Power Meters. Two years later, he took over as Executive Vice President of the Test & Measurement Division and kept it on track for continued success. He also bolstered the division’s resilience to market fluctuations by consistently focusing on a diversified product portfolio and investing in future technologies.

Focus on innovation and project business

As President and CTO, Andreas Pauly will concentrate on R&D topics while maintaining a focus on T&M equipment. Peter Riedel, who joined the Executive Board in 2014, will remain President and COO. He will focus on the growing project business and other areas. Managing Partner Christian Leicher will continue to head the Executive Board as President and CEO.

Adding the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is the logical next step for Rohde & Schwarz. Since its founding, the group has stood for innovation and technical expertise. To stay relevant in its markets, the company invests a double-digit percentage of its revenue every year in research and development. With an eye to achieving its growth targets, the Executive Board also needs to focus even more closely on the project business. Allocating responsibilities to the three presidents creates the capacity needed to do so.

Leicher and Riedel welcome the decision: "We are very much looking forward to working with Andreas Pauly. He has made a significant contribution to the growth of the company in recent years with the Test & Measurement Division. We are convinced that together we will take Rohde & Schwarz to the next level."

Christina Gessner takes over as Head of the Test & Measurement Division

Christina Gessner (50) has succeeded Pauly in the Test & Measurement Division. She has therefore also joined Rohde & Schwarz Corporate Management. In her most recent role, she served as Vice President Spectrum & Network Analyzers, EMC and Antenna Test Equipment.

She joined Rohde & Schwarz as a technology manager in 2004. In 2011, she became Head of Product Management for Spectrum and Network Analyzers. In the following years, she held several leadership roles before being appointed Vice President of the entire business unit in 2018. With Gessner’s appointment as Executive Vice President, Rohde & Schwarz again recruited a longstanding and experienced manager.

Pauly has full confidence in his successor: "Christina Gessner has an entrepreneurial mindset, drives innovation and focuses on customer needs. She has demonstrated this in several management functions and especially in her role as Vice President. That is exactly what is needed to take the Test & Measurement Division to the next level."

Gessner welcomes the challenge: "I’m delighted with the trust shown to me. The Test & Measurement Division, with its highly qualified employees, has played an essential role in the company’s success for years. In my new role, I will continue on this path and ensure that our customers can still rely on T&M solutions from Rohde & Schwarz in the future."