The Supervisory Board of Vonovia SE has unanimously appointed Katja Wunschel as the company's new Chief Development Officer, effective June 1, 2026. 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. This strategic appointment comes as Vonovia seeks to advance its development business, which has been a key growth component since 2018, particularly in new housing and modular construction.
Clara C. Streit, Chair of the Vonovia Supervisory Board, stated that Wunschel brings extensive experience in project management and implementing large investment projects from her background in renewable energy. Her 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 company's development focus aligns with its 2028 growth strategy, which emphasizes serial modernization, modular new construction, and modern heating infrastructure. More details about Vonovia's strategic direction can be found at https://www.newmediawire.com.
Wunschel currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH, a company that develops, builds and operates onshore wind and solar farms. She has spent over two decades in the energy sector, including previous roles as COO at RWE Renewables GmbH and various leadership positions at E.ON. Wunschel noted similarities between renewable energy and housing development, stating that both industries share the need to deliver multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of standardization. For her, these similarities in project development and implementation represent an exciting foundation for entering a new phase in modular construction.
In a separate decision, the Supervisory Board renewed the contract of Chief Human Resources Officer Ruth Werhahn ahead of schedule until September 30, 2029. Werhahn, who has led Human Resources, Technical Service, IT and Central Services since October 2023, has been credited with strengthening Vonovia's employer brand and corporate culture. Streit emphasized the strategic importance of HR during demographic change and skilled worker shortages, noting Werhahn has successfully placed her divisions on a strong entrepreneurial foundation.
Werhahn highlighted Vonovia's workforce growth, stating the company attracted approximately 2,800 new employees this year, primarily in maintenance roles. A modern and appealing corporate culture is essential for business growth, both now and in the future. Housing is a basic need for everyone. And it is above all thanks to the employees of Vonovia that our company is so successful in business while also meeting its responsibilities to the community. These leadership decisions come as Vonovia, Europe's leading private residential real estate company with 533,000 units across Germany, Sweden and Austria, continues to focus on sustainability and quality living for tenants.
The appointment of a renewable energy executive to lead development signals Vonovia's commitment to industrializing housing construction through modular techniques. This approach could potentially accelerate housing delivery while improving cost efficiency and sustainability standards. For business leaders, this cross-industry talent move demonstrates how project management expertise from capital-intensive sectors like renewable energy can transfer to housing development, particularly as companies seek scalable solutions to housing shortages.
Simultaneously, the early contract extension for the HR chief underscores the growing importance of workforce strategy in real estate operations. With Vonovia adding thousands of maintenance employees amid skilled worker shortages, the company's focus on employer branding and corporate culture represents a strategic response to demographic challenges affecting many industries. These parallel leadership decisions reflect a comprehensive approach to growth that balances project execution capabilities with organizational development, positioning Vonovia to address both construction innovation and human capital challenges in the European housing market.
