German Producer UFA Sets Joint Leadership Team

POTSDAM/LONDON: Nico Hofmann has been appointed co-CEO of UFA Group, which is the German production arm of FremantleMedia, sharing the post with Wolf Bauer.

The appointment is part of a new two-year transition, which will see Hofmann take over sole CEO responsibilities in September 2017, allowing Bauer to focus on producing. Until then, the two will share overall management duties with dedicated responsibilities for certain operations and units. They will have joint responsibility for the holding company and will both play a key role within the FremantleMedia global network working closely with the global production, licensing and sales operations teams.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, the CEO of FremantleMedia, commented: “After 25 years of leading UFA to its outstanding market position, Wolf proposed to me a succession plan which made sense for both Wolf and the business, and I happily accepted. Nico is one of Europe’s most successful and respected drama producers with fantastic leadership skills and strong relationships in the German market. He is perfectly placed to take up this position, working with Wolf, to lead UFA into a new era. I’d like to thank Wolf for his continued commitment to the company and I’m really pleased that he will continue his long association with UFA when he embarks on the next phase of his career.”

Bauer said: “The time is right for me to begin the process of co-heading UFA and to prepare for handing over reins at UFA. Nico is an exceptionally talented producer and under his leadership teamWorx/UFA Fiction has become the European market leader in drama event TV. I can’t think of anyone better to hand over the baton to and I’m really excited to be working with him during this transition period.”

Hofmann added: “I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to co-lead UFA with one of the most experienced and highly regarded executives in the business. I feel honored to join Wolf as co-CEO having enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with him. I’m really excited about what we will achieve together in the future.”