Dr David Deißner appointed as additional managing director

The importance of family businesses in Germany and the special conditions they need to be successful are now the subject of broad academic research and a great deal of attention in the media, society and politics. This is due in no small part to the Foundation for Family Businesses, which was founded 20 years ago to promote academic research, and the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, which joined the original foundation in 2021.

Both foundations have so far been managed by Stefan Heidbreder (55) alone. In view of their continuous growth, the Executive Board has now decided to strengthen the foundations’ leadership by appointing another, equally experienced manager and political communicator. On 15 May 2023, Dr David Deißner (46) will join the management of both foundations as an additional managing director.

Dr Deißner previously served as Vice President Global Public Affairs at HelloFresh SE, headquartered in Berlin. Founded in 2011 and listed on the stock exchange since 2017, the company with over 20,000 employees in 18 markets is the global market leader in recipe-based meal kits. In his role, Deißner was responsible for the Group’s international government relations and corporate communications, and dealt with regulatory issues.

Prior to that, the humanities graduate and trained journalist spent several years as the managing director of Atlantik-Brücke, a membership organisation that promotes transatlantic dialogue in the worlds of politics and business. His career before that included various positions at Vodafone and in particular at the Vodafone Foundation, the company’s European think tank with a focus on the innovative power of digital technologies.

Before training at the Axel Springer school of journalism, Deißner studied philosophy, literature and political science in Heidelberg and at the University of Oxford, where he earned his doctorate in philosophy in 2007. He grew up in Kiel and now lives in Berlin with his wife and two children.

Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer and Dr Ulrich Stoll, board members of the Foundation for Family Businesses and the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics: “Dr Deißner is a widely experienced and inspiring political communicator and a valuable reinforcement to our team. He and Stefan Heidbreder will join forces to make the foundations even more impactful. After all, family businesses are the most important type of business in Germany and Europe.”

Dr David Deißner: “I’m thrilled to be able to contribute my business and foundation experience, my love of science and my enthusiasm for political discourse to such outstanding institutions. Family businesses are powerful drivers of innovation and form the backbone of Germany’s economy. Standing up for their interests is a wonderful task. Above all, I’m looking forward to working with Stefan Heidbreder and the excellent teams that await me in Berlin, Brussels and Munich.”

Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer and Dr Ulrich Stoll, board members of the Foundation for Family Businesses and the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics: “Dr Deißner is a widely experienced and inspiring political communicator and a valuable reinforcement to our team. He and Stefan Heidbreder will join forces to make the foundations even more impactful. After all, family businesses are the most important type of business in Germany and Europe.”

Dr David Deißner: “I’m thrilled to be able to contribute my business and foundation experience, my love of science and my enthusiasm for political discourse to such outstanding institutions. Family businesses are powerful drivers of innovation and form the backbone of Germany’s economy. Standing up for their interests is a wonderful task. Above all, I’m looking forward to working with Stefan Heidbreder and the excellent teams that await me in Berlin, Brussels and Munich.”

The non-profit Foundation for Family Businesses is the most important promoter of academic research around family businesses. It is the contact partner for politicians and the media in matters related to economic policy, legislation and taxation. Founded in 2002, the foundation is now supported by more than 500 companies that rank among the largest family businesses in Germany.

The Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics assists family businesses in a variety of ways when it comes to representing their political interests. Their business environment is changing as never before. Globalisation, the shortage of skilled workers, digital transformation, the safety of individuals and businesses, public perception and the political framework are just some of the challenges they face.