Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe has announced his departure from the German media company at the end of 2026.

“My contract runs until the end of 2026. My plan is to then move on to other tasks,” Rabe told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. Until then, he had been on the Bertelsmann Executive Board for almost 21 years, including 15 years as Chairman. This would then be “the right time for new impulses,” said Rabe.

According to Rabe, he wants to “leave the corporate world” and no longer seek any Supervisory Board mandates. “I would like to be free,” said the 58-year-old: “I can only imagine taking on one or two entrepreneurial roles, but more as a supporter and advisor.” The manager currently chairs the Supervisory Board of German sportswear manufacturer Adidas.

Bertelsmann, parent company of RTL Group, intends to build up new divisions in the coming years, said Rabe. But the media business will remain a key part of the group, he stressed. Rabe sees, for example, great opportunities in the digital healthcare business in the US. Bertelsmann also wants to rebalance its regional businesses, said Rabe: “Besides the US, Brazil, Mexico and India are also becoming increasingly important.”