Overview
- The 50-year-old will chair the foundation and shareholder councils, assuming the company’s central decision-making role.
- Founder’s son succeeds Michael Otto, who withdraws from operational and strategic posts to focus on foundation work and remains honorary supervisory board chair.
- Janina Lin Otto will join the supervisory board as a new external member in a move described as without precedent at the company.
- Benjamin Otto frames himself as a strategic architect who sets guardrails, prioritizing long-term success and sustainable impact over short-term profit.
- Reporting in Germany indicates a planned cost-reduction program at otto.de, including targeted savings and potential layoffs, with a formal announcement said to be forthcoming.