Board of Directors

Valentin von Arnim, Iris von Arnim

After finishing his studies in Art History and Economics, Valentin von Arnim worked in NYC at Goldman Sachs. After returning to Hamburg, he took over International Marketing at Iris von Arnim and in 2009 became Managing Director.

Markus Benz, Walter Knoll

Markus Benz is CEO at Walter Knoll. A qualified lawyer, he started his professional career in the furniture sector. He has been guiding the fate of Walter Knoll since 1993 – and is principally responsible for product and brand development.

Andreas Henke, Burmester

Andreas Henke is managing director of the sound specialist Burmester since January 2017. Previously, he spent 18 years in a variety of leadership roles in product strategy, marketing and top customer care. Henke, born in 1972, studied economics, political science and languages in Germany and the USA. He is a passionate music lover, photographer and car fan.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Leica

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann is Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2006 of Leica Camera AG, Managing Director and Partner of SOCRATES Holding GmbH and ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH, Managing Director of Leica Galerie Salzburg, Managing Director of mechanical workshops Wetzlar GmbH and member of the Advisory Board of various companies in Germany and Austria.

Frank Marrenbach, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa

Frank Marrenbach is Managing Director of Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa and CEO at Oetker Hotel Management Company GmbH, Baden-Baden. He has also been a member of the Executive Committee since 2005 and Vice Chairman of The Leading Hotels of the World since 2011. 

Roman Niewodniczanski, van Volxem

Roman Niewodniczanski, great-grandson of the founder of the Bitburger brewery, finished his studies in Economic Geography and Business Administration before working at Ernst & Young and at Europäisches Tourismus Institut as well. In 1999 he acquired the Van Volxem wine estate, infusing it with new vitality. 

Clemens Pflanz, MEISTERKREIS

Clemens Pflanz is founder and Chairman of MEISTERKREIS. He has been leading his own strategic consultancy since 2007 and is Senior Advisor at Roland Berger and EQT Partners. After studying business administration at the University of Cologne he started at Mars Group and moved to LVMH, where he spent more than 10 years working for Moet Hennessy and Christian Dior as Managing Director. 

Vivie Thonet, Thonet

Vivie Thonet has been involved with Thonet for more than 20 years in various capacities. After her banking training she studied business administration. She then worked for an American eyewear manufacturer in the USA before establishing its European subsidiary. Vivie is now responsible for special projects within the Thonet brand.