ZF announces changes in its Executive Board

Peter Lake, Board Member for Corporate Market of ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Jürgen Holeksa, Board Member for Human Resources, are leaving the Executive Board on September 30, 2018. Peter Lake, having fulfilled the three-year term of his agreement, will end his work for ZF, as planned. Jürgen Holeksa leaves the Executive Board at his own request.

Peter Lake joined the Executive Board as head of Sales and Market shortly after the acquisition of TRW by ZF in May 2015. ZF says the British-born, American citizen contributed significantly to the integration of the two companies and in particular, in redefining the role which the regional organisation in Asia Pacific performs in the management and operation of the new ZF, and also in re-designing and restructuring the global sales organization. Upon his departure, his previous Corporate Market board responsibilities will be redistributed among other board members and the new, unified sales function – like other central functions – will be linked directly to CEO, Wolf-Henning Scheider.

“Peter Lake made a vital contribution to making the ZF-TRW integration a success. Moreover, for the more than 60,000 TRW employees, he was an important unifying figure. As a sales and general management professional, he oversaw the re-design and re-structure of our global Sales & Market and regional business operations. For this, our shareholders, the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board would like to express their thanks and wish him all the best for the future,” said Josef Paefgen, chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Prior to joining ZF at the time of the TRW acquisition, Peter held a number of sales, corporate and general management positions in Lucas Industries, Lucas Varity and TRW before he became head of Corporate Development and Sales at TRW.

Jürgen Holeksa calls it a day at ZF
After more than seven years of at ZF, Jürgen Holeksa has decided to leave the Executive Board with effect from September 30, 2018, at his own request and in mutual agreement on the most amicable terms. He wishes to seek new challenges outside the company.

Jürgen Holeksa was appointed to the Executive Board of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, as of July 1, 2011. In addition to his HR responsibilities and his function as Labor director, Jürgen Holeksa was responsible for the Asia Pacific region from 2013-2015.

During this time, the acquisition and integration of TRW Automotive Inc. took place where Jürgen Holeksa in particular played a significant role. Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, acknowledged Holeksa’s decision: “Our shareholders, the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board would like to express their thanks to Mr. Holeksa for his extraordinary commitment. Under his leadership, the HR work at the ZF Group has been internationalized and professionalized, as proven by numerous successes and awards. His contribution to the leadership of the Asia Pacific region, as well as in the development of the Executive Board Sector of Governance, were very important for the successful overall development of the ZF Group in recent years. We will soon be able to provide information about his succession. We would like to wish Mr. Holeksa all the best for his future.”