KfW appoints new Head of Group Development and Accounting

As part of its resolute strategic orientation towards becoming a digital transformation and promotional bank, KfW is appointing new management for two key departments: On 1 November 2023, the bank will strengthen itself with the addition of the external talent of Dr Susanne Maurenbrecher (44) to lead the Group Development department. The current head of this department, Mirko Sedlacek (43), is changing positions internally and will take over as Head of the Accounting department in summer 2024.

Dr Susanne Maurenbrecher comes to KfW from McKinsey & Company, where she has been working since 2009 and, as a partner in the Hamburg office, advises banks on strategy and transformation projects. Her area of expertise is particularly focused on the subject of sustainable finance and the importance of environmental, social and governance factors (“ESG”) in banking in Germany. Before joining McKinsey, she worked in the NORD/LB Group in in-house consulting, corporate development and investment controlling. At KfW, she will be assuming responsibility for areas including corporate strategy, sustainability, strategic planning and management, innovation and the Economics Department.

“Germany is facing major transformation tasks in this decade, and we at KfW will make an effective contribution. With our KfWplus transformation agenda, we are advancing KfW to become even more effective and efficient as a result,”

said Stefan Wintels, Chief Executive Officer of KfW.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr Susanne Maurenbrecher, a transformation expert with proven ESG expertise, to KfW. In implementing KfWplus and advancing KfW on its way to becoming a digital transformation and promotional bank, she can build on this successful work and provide new impetus.”

Mirko Sedlacek will continue to support the Group Development and Economics Department for a few months as part of an orderly transition before taking over as Head of Accounting on 1 July 2024. The current head of KfW Accounting, Klaus Weirich, will retire at the end of 2024.

Mirko Sedlacek joined KfW in 2004 as a trainee and, after various positions at the bank, including roles in project finance for renewable energies and credit risk management at KfW IPEX-Bank, most recently led the Group Development and Economics Department for four and a half years. In the Accounting department, he will be responsible for accounting, reporting, taxes, controlling, and data management & financial architecture.

“Mirko Sedlacek is familiar with KfW Group from his activities on the market and risk side as well as strategy and management in various facets. At the same time, he also has the overall understanding of the bank that we require in the area of finance,”

said Bernd Loewen, Chief Financial Officer of KfW.

“Furthermore, his in-depth knowledge of sustainability is a game changer, not only in banking strategy, but also in data management, data analysis and future reporting in their financial areas, making him an ideal candidate for our Accounting Department.”

Profile photos of Dr Susanne Maurenbrecher and Mirko Sedlacek are available for download here:

Dr Susanne Maurenbrecher

Mirko Sedlacek