Michael Schrader Named New CEO of VNR AG

The VNR Group is further developing its leadership structure for the next phase of growth: Michael Schrader will assume overall responsibility for the German business effective July 1, and Richard Rentrop will focus on the VNR Group’s international expansion going forward. 

More than 50 years ago, VNR Verlag für die deutsche Wirtschaft was founded with the goal of helping people achieve greater success in their personal and professional lives. This has grown into today’s VNR Group, an international media, knowledge, and software group. Today, 800 employees in Germany, Poland, the U.S., and the U.K. work every day to achieve this goal.  

Effective July 1, Michael Schrader will assume overall responsibility for VNR AG’s German operations as a member of the Executive Board. Richard Rentrop will henceforth focus entirely on his role as CEO of the international VNR Group. His focus will be on further developing the Group’s strategy, international collaboration, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and the development of new platforms and growth areas.  

Michael Schrader has served as COO of the VNR Group since January 1, 2018. Over the past eight years, he has played a key role, alongside Richard Rentrop, in shaping numerous strategic developments within the group. These include the launch of platform X, the further development of the AI and digital strategy, and the management and integration of several corporate acquisitions. Prior to that, Michael Schrader held leadership positions for many years at the international, publicly traded software company Top Image Systems, most recently as CEO. He began his career as a software developer at Siemens and studied industrial engineering at Bochum University of Applied Sciences. Since 2022, Michael Schrader has served as chairman of the Customer-Centric Marketing Commission at Deutsche Fachpresse. 

“Richard and I have been a well-coordinated leadership team for many years,” explains Michael Schrader. “This collaboration is further strengthened by a clear division of responsibilities. Germany remains the foundation of the VNR Group. At the same time, we will consistently capitalize on the opportunities presented by an internationally growing corporate group and continue to develop our organization step by step.” 

With its new management structure, the VNR Group is laying the groundwork to consistently pursue its growth strategy—through organic growth, technological advancements, and targeted acquisitions.

About the VNR Group