Jena, May 28, 2026. The listed Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has a new CEO: Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor will lead the Jena-based medical technology group in the future. She succeeds Maximilian Foerst, who had to leave the company unexpectedly at the end of 2025.
- Who: Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor (new CEO)
- What: Taking over the top position at the Jena-based medical technology group
- When: Start date still open (negotiations ongoing; interim management by Andreas Pecher)
- Background: Succession of Maximilian Foerst following an internal code of conduct violation at the end of 2025
Experienced Manager Takes the Lead
With Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor, Carl Zeiss Meditec gains an internationally experienced executive. The manager, who is currently still serving as CEO of the Swedish Vitrolife Group, has more than 25 years of professional experience in the field of medical technology and life sciences. In the past, she held senior positions at renowned global corporations such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson. In addition to her role in Jena, she is also to be appointed to the Executive Board of the parent company Carl Zeiss AG in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg.
Exactly when Brophy O’Connor will take up her new office in Thüringen is still the subject of negotiations with her current employer. Until the official handover, Zeiss Group CEO Andreas Pecher will continue to manage the Meditec division on an interim basis.
Background of the Abrupt Change
The leadership change became necessary after the Supervisory Board unexpectedly parted ways with the previous CEO Maximilian Foerst at the end of 2025. The manager was accused of violating the Zeiss Group’s internal code of conduct. Specifically, this involved a conflict of interest dating back several years in dealing with a person from the direct working environment.
Economic Challenges at the Jena Location
The new appointment comes at a demanding phase for the company. Carl Zeiss Meditec, one of the highest-revenue industrial companies in East Germany, is currently struggling with headwinds in the important Chinese market. In response, management has already initiated a global cost-cutting program, which could lead to the reduction of up to 1,000 positions worldwide over the next three years. The Jena-based company’s core products include sophisticated surgical microscopes, medical lasers, and artificial lenses for treating eye diseases.
🏛️ History & Economy: The Importance of Zeiss for Jena
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is not only a listed corporation but also a cornerstone of the Jena business location. As the successor to the historical Optical Workshops, the various Zeiss divisions have shaped the city’s development into a modern “City of Light” for over 170 years. The medical technology division (Meditec) secures important high-tech jobs and attracts highly qualified specialists from all over the world to the Saale. The success of Zeiss radiates directly onto the local research and university hospital network.
Source:
Carl Zeiss Meditec: Manager takes over top position
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.