A bombshell in the consulting industry: zeb with a new dual leadership
On July 11, 2025, the renowned strategy, IT and management consultancy zeb announced a surprising and forward-looking change in leadership. Following the most recent shareholders' meeting, the company will now be led by a dual leadership. Thorsten Helbig (52) and Sven Krämer (49) will jointly take the reins from Dr. Markus Thiesmeyer (56), who announced his resignation after two successful terms as Managing Director. This news sent the entire financial services industry into turmoil and raises exciting questions about zeb's future.
Who are the new leaders at the top?
Thorsten Helbig and Sven Krämer are no strangers to the world of financial services. Both are long-standing partners at zeb and bring a wealth of industry experience. Helbig, who joined zeb in 2002, is a recognised expert in mergers and restructuring. His colleagues particularly appreciate his strong customer focus and collegial leadership style, which have significantly contributed to zeb's growth.
Sven Krämer, also with zeb since 2002, has established himself as an innovator in IT consulting, digitalisation and artificial intelligence. With a diploma in business informatics from the University of Münster, he is the creative mind behind initiatives such as the zeb.RegulatoryHub and the FinTech platform Digital Services Hub. His team-oriented leadership style has decisively advanced the deep integration of consulting with IT services.
Why the dual leadership?
The introduction of a dual leadership is not a new concept in the corporate world, but it is repeatedly associated with challenges. At zeb, this decision is seen as a strategic move to meet the demands of a rapidly changing financial industry. Prof. Dr. Bernd Rolfes, main shareholder and founding partner of zeb, explained that the decision to appoint Helbig and Krämer as equal partners at the top underlines the growing importance of linking financial-services expertise with IT competence.
A look back: The Thiesmeyer era
Markus Thiesmeyer took on the role of Managing Director in July 2019. Under his leadership, zeb experienced unprecedented growth, reaching a turnover of 250 million euros in the last fiscal year 2024. Thiesmeyer navigated the company through numerous challenges and established it as a leading consultant for the financial services industry in Europe. Today, zeb employs 1,200 people and is a key player in the European financial landscape.
What does this change mean for clients?
For zeb's clients, which include banks, savings banks, neobanks, FinTechs, insurers, and InsurTechs, the new leadership is likely to bring positive changes. Helbig and Krämer have already announced that they will continue zeb's successful course while simultaneously opening up new perspectives. Clients can look forward to innovative consulting approaches that promise an even stronger integration of IT and financial services.
Expert opinions and forecasts
Financial experts see the new leadership structure as an opportunity for zeb to further expand its market position. "The combination of proven professional expertise and innovative IT know-how could help zeb master the challenges of digital transformation even more effectively," says Dr. Hans Müller, a renowned financial analyst from Vienna. "It will be exciting to observe how Helbig and Krämer combine the different strengths of their respective areas."
Comparison with other federal states and companies
Interestingly, the introduction of a dual leadership is not just a current topic at zeb. Other consulting firms in Austria and Europe are also increasingly relying on this model. In Vienna, for example, a well-known consulting firm recently introduced a similar structure to meet the growing demands of digital transformation. Such comparisons show that zeb is on-trend with this step and is relying on a proven strategy.
The challenges of the future
The financial services industry is facing numerous challenges, including advancing digitalization and increasing regulatory density. For zeb, it will be crucial how well Helbig and Krämer can master these challenges while simultaneously strengthening the company's innovative power. The coming years will show whether the new dual leadership is capable of meeting the expectations of clients and employees.
Conclusion: A bold step into the future
The change in leadership at zeb marks an exciting new chapter in the company's history. With Thorsten Helbig and Sven Krämer at the helm, zeb could be well positioned to meet the challenges ahead and further strengthen its position as a leading adviser in the European financial industry. The coming months and years will show whether the new dual leadership can meet the high expectations.
A look at the next steps
In the coming months, Helbig and Krämer will work closely with outgoing Managing Director Thiesmeyer to ensure a smooth transition. This will give zeb the opportunity to set the strategic course for the future and potentially open up new business areas. The industry is watching developments closely and is eagerly anticipating the next steps from the new leadership.
With this bold move, zeb shows that it is prepared to face the challenges of the future and to further consolidate its role as an innovative leader in the financial services industry. zeb's clients and partners can look forward to exciting times and possibly groundbreaking change.
