The new year brings a number of changes for our institute.

We are delighted that Rouven Kanitzwill be taking over as director of the institute on 01 February. Before doing his PhD at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, he got some work experience at a management consultancy and then worked as an assistant professor at LMU until the end of 2021. From 2022 to the end of 2025, he worked at Rotterdam School of Management and is now starting as a professor of leadership and strategic change at our institute.

With his previous focus on how organisations can manage change more effectively and sustainably, particularly by taking into account the human aspects of these processes, he ties in perfectly with the institute's existing expertise and will also work on new ideas for the entire field with other new colleagues who will be joining our team in the coming year.

At the same time, our institute will also change its name after more than two decades. From the beginning of 2026, our institute will be called Leadership and Strategic Change. This will further emphasise the focus we have already been placing on the interplay between strategic considerations, change management processes and measures, and management responsibility.

In terms of teaching, however, we are focusing on continuity and stability in the coming months – our SBWL course entitled ‘Change Management and Management Development’ will continue to be offered in its proven form in the coming semester. Likewise, our specialisation in the form of a corresponding field of competence will continue to be offered.

We look forward to a successful start together and if you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please do not hesitate to contact us!