GfK finance chief von Ahlefeld set for end of year exit

GERMANY-- GfK's chief financial officer Christian Weller von Ahlefeld is to leave the firm at the end of the year.

Von Ahlefeld, who joined GfK in 2005, was one of the architects of its planned merger with TNS, which fell through last summer when WPP made a rival bid, resulting in TNS becoming part of its Kantar research group.

He had been set to take up the role of CFO in the new company if the merger had gone ahead.

The firm said von Ahlefeld had been involved in more than 35 large and small acquisitions during his time on GfK's management board. “We would like to thank him particularly for his services in advancing the internationalisation and expansion of our company,” said Arno Mahlert, chairman of the company's supervisory board.

GfK's former chairman Hajo Riesenbeck, who would have become chairman of a merged GfK-TNS, also left the firm last year after the plan fell through.

Before joining GfK von Ahlefeld worked for JP Morgan, Siemens and Tele München. The company said it is in the process of seeking a replacement.

Author: Robert Bain

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