• The Supervisory Boards of Carl Zeiss AG and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG have reached a mutual agreement with Maximilian Foerst, member of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG responsible for the Medical Technology segment and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, to end their collaboration prematurely as of December 31, 2025.
  • The background to this decision is non-compliant conduct by Maximilian Foerst in his previous role, unrelated to the business operations of the ZEISS Group.
  • Andreas Pecher, in addition to his responsibilities as President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, will assume the position of President and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG on an interim basis.


ZEISS Group

Following information received via its whistleblower hotline, the ZEISS Compliance department investigated in recent weeks a potential violation of internal disclosure obligations intended to prevent conflicts of interest by Maximilian Foerst, member of the
Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG responsible for the Medical Technology segment and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG. The allegations raised relate to Maximilian Foerst’s previous position in China.

The investigation, which has now concluded, centered on a conflict of interest. This involved a breach of internal corporate policies regarding interactions with an individual within ZEISS’ internal work environment, dating back several years. The case is not related to the business activities of the ZEISS Group or the business of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.

Maximilian Foerst has acknowledged violating the ZEISS Group’s internal Code of Conduct. Further details will not be disclosed in order to protect the personal rights and the privacy of those involved.

The company takes this violation of its internal Code of Conduct seriously. The Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG and Maximilian Foerst have therefore mutually agreed that it is in the company’s best interest to end his executive duties prematurely. The same agreement was also reached with the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG.

Maximilian Foerst, member of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, stated: “I deeply regret that I did not act in compliance with the rules in my previous position. I take responsibility for this. Together with the Supervisory Boards of Carl Zeiss AG and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, I have concluded that the premature termination of my executive duties is in the best interest of the company. I thank the ZEISS Group for the many years of collaboration, which means a great deal to me.”

Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, acknowledged Maximilian Foerst’s long-standing service: “I thank Maximilian Foerst for his strong commitment and significant contributions. At the same time, it is essential for us as a company to consistently uphold our Code of Conduct and compliance standards.”

The Supervisory Board immediately kicked off the search for a successor. From January 1, 2026, Andreas Pecher, currently Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, will assume the role of CEO at Carl Zeiss Meditec AG on an interim basis. Prior to this, he will give up his Supervisory Board mandate. Peter Kameritsch, a member of the Supervisory Board, will serve as Chairman on an interim basis.

The strategic development of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, focusing on customer orientation, commercial excellence, and targeted innovation – successfully initiated under Maximilian Foerst – will continue at the same pace.

Dr. Michael Bolle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG, emphasized: “Today’s decision is painful, but it is guided by our own compliance standards. Maximilian Foerst is a successful international manager who has contributed to the company’s success, particularly in China, over many years. He was also able to provide important impetus during his time as a member of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG. We thank him for this.”

Integrity and compliance are central values of the company’s philosophy. The company will continue to do everything possible to uphold its standards of compliance and transparency in order to maintain the trust of employees and business partners.

As of January 1, 2026, the Management Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will consist of Andreas Pecher (CEO, interim) and Justus Felix Wehmer (CFO).

As of January 1, 2026, the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG will consist of the following members: Andreas Pecher (President and CEO), Stefan Müller (CFO), Sven Hermann (Head of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment), Dr. Frank Rohmund (Head of the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment), and Dr. Marc Wawerla (Head of the ZEISS Industrial Quality & Research segment). Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will be represented by Andreas Pecher on an interim basis.

Press contactJörg Nitschke

Head of Corporate Brand, Communications and Public Affairs
ZEISS Group

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology company in the optics and optoelectronics industry. The ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling around 11 billion euros in its four segments Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (updated: 30 September 2024).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for life sciences and materials research, as well as medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world’s leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Industry 4.0 as well as a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping technological progress and, through its solutions, is extending the horizon of the world of optics and associated areas. ZEISS’ significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS’ technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 14% of its revenue in research and development work – ZEISS has a long tradition of high expenditure in these areas. This also represents the company’s investment in the future.

With more than 46,500 employees, ZEISS operates in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service sites, 40 research and development sites and 35 production sites worldwide (as of 31 March 2025). The headquarters of the company, which was founded in Jena in 1846, is located in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of Germany’s largest foundations committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

About Carl Zeiss Meditech AG

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ISIN: DE0005313704), which is listed on the MDAX and TecDAX of the German stock exchange, is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. The Company supplies innovative technologies and application-oriented solutions designed to help doctors improve the quality of life of their patients. The Company offers complete solutions, including implants and consumables, to diagnose and treat eye diseases. The Company creates innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. With 5,730 employees worldwide, the Group generated revenue of €2,066.1m in fiscal year 2023/24 (to 30 September).

The Group’s head office is located in Jena, Germany, and it has subsidiaries in Germany and abroad; more than 50 percent of its employees are based in the USA, Japan, Spain and France. The Center for Application and Research (CARIn) in Bangalore, India and the Carl Zeiss Innovations Center for Research and Development in Shanghai, China, strengthen the Company’s presence in these rapidly developing economies. Around 39 percent of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG’s shares are in free float. Approx. 59 percent are held by Carl Zeiss AG, one of the world’s leading groups in the optical and optoelectronic industries.

For more information visit our website at www.zeiss.com/med