Vonovia Appoints New Chief Development Officer and Extends CHRO Contract in Strategic Leadership Moves

The Supervisory Board of Vonovia SE has unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the company's new Chief Development Officer, effective June 1, 2026, while also renewing the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule until September 30, 2029. These leadership decisions come as Europe's largest private residential real estate company positions itself for continued growth in development and addresses workforce challenges in a competitive market.

Wunschel will join Vonovia on April 1, 2026, and succeed Daniel Riedl, who will leave the Executive Board by mutual agreement on May 31, 2026, following a two-month transition period. Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Supervisory Board, stated that Wunschel brings "many years of experience in project management and in implementing large investment projects" to Vonovia's development business, which has been a key growth component since 2018. Streit emphasized that Wunschel's "extensive knowledge in planning and implementing construction and development projects will be immensely valuable for the further development of new housing and, in particular, modular construction at Vonovia."

The appointment represents a significant cross-industry move, with Wunschel transitioning from more than two decades in the energy sector, primarily renewable energies. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH, where she oversees the development, construction, and operation of onshore wind and solar farms. Wunschel noted similarities between the industries, stating, "What both industries have in common is the need to deliver multiple projects at the same time while maintaining a high level of standardisation. For me, these similarities in project development and implementation are an exciting foundation for entering a new phase in modular construction."

Simultaneously, the early contract renewal for CHRO Ruth Werhahn underscores the company's commitment to human resources strategy during a period of demographic change and skilled worker shortages. Werhahn, who has led Human Resources, Vonovia Technical Service, IT, and Central Services since October 2023, has overseen the addition of approximately 2,800 new employees in 2025 alone, primarily in maintenance roles. Streit acknowledged Werhahn's progress in "developing our employer brand and corporate culture" and establishing "a strong entrepreneurial foundation" across her divisions.

These leadership decisions occur as Vonovia implements its 2028 growth strategy, which emphasizes strengthening Value-add, Development, and Recurring Sales segments while promoting innovative technologies focused on serial modernization, modular new construction, and modern heating infrastructure. With 533,000 residential units across Germany, Sweden, and Austria, and approximately 12,500 employees, the company's leadership stability and strategic appointments signal confidence in its expansion plans despite industry-wide challenges. The moves also reflect the increasing importance of standardized construction methods and workforce development in the competitive European housing market, where Vonovia maintains its position as a DAX-listed industry leader.