Cherry SE announced that Rogier Volmer has been unanimously appointed by the Supervisory Board as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Management Board member with effect from January 1, 2026. Oliver Kaltner is leaving the Management Board at his own request upon the expiration of his current term on December 31, 2025. Mr. Kaltner will continue to provide advisory support for the Company's M&A efforts.
This leadership transition comes at a critical juncture for Cherry SE, a global manufacturer of computer input devices and digital health solutions. The company maintains a strong market position in both peripherals and digital health offerings, making this executive change significant for stakeholders monitoring the technology and gaming hardware sectors. For business leaders, such transitions often signal strategic shifts or reinforce existing growth trajectories, impacting investor confidence and competitive positioning.
Rogier Volmer brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience to the role, including senior positions at Haier Europe, Trust International, and Logitech. His most recent role involved leading the DACH & Benelux region at Haier, where he delivered a successful turnaround and significant EBIT improvement. As CEO of Trust, he drove a full commercial and organizational transformation, achieving sustained double-digit growth. At Logitech, he held multiple General Manager roles across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, consistently delivering strong revenue and profit performance.
Marcel Stolk, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Company, commented on the appointment, stating, "We are pleased to welcome Rogier Volmer to the Management Board to continue the Company's strong focus on revenue and earnings growth. Cherry continues to be a market leader in excellence and innovation in both peripherals and digital health offerings." This statement underscores the board's confidence in maintaining current strategic directions while leveraging Volmer's turnaround and growth expertise.
Mr. Volmer remarked on his new role, saying, "I am honored to take on the leadership of Cherry at a moment of significant strategic opportunity. With a strong brand and a dedicated team, Cherry is well positioned to advance its role in gaming, hybrid-work technology, and digital health. I look forward to building on the foundation created by Oliver Kaltner and working with the organization to deliver sustainable performance and continued innovation." His focus on gaming, hybrid-work technology, and digital health highlights key growth areas that align with broader industry trends toward remote work solutions and health tech integration.
The outgoing CEO, Oliver Kaltner, reflected on his tenure, noting, "After three very intense years, marked by tough restructuring measures in challenging waters, the time is right for me to step down. Together with an exceptionally dedicated team, we have re-shaped Cherry's true potential, so this iconic brand will be given a positive future direction." Mr. Stolk further commented on behalf of the Supervisory Board, expressing gratitude for Kaltner's leadership during challenging periods, including implementing significant structural measures domestically and internationally, sharpening the company's operational profile, and aligning the organization for future development stages.
For the technology industry, leadership changes at established companies like Cherry SE can influence market dynamics, particularly in competitive segments like gaming peripherals and digital health hardware. The continuation of Kaltner in an advisory role for M&A activities suggests potential strategic acquisitions or partnerships ahead, which could reshape the company's portfolio and competitive stance. Investors and industry observers can monitor these developments through the company's investor relations portal at https://ir.cherry.de/en/ for ongoing updates.
The transition plan, with a clear handover period until the end of 2025, provides stability and allows for strategic continuity. This approach minimizes disruption and ensures that Kaltner's restructuring efforts are preserved while Volmer's growth-oriented experience is integrated. For business leaders, this case illustrates the importance of structured succession planning in maintaining operational momentum during executive changes, especially in technology sectors where innovation pace and market shifts demand agile leadership.
