Germany: Markus Sterzl Becomes New Managing Director of KölnBäder
Photo © C. Imig / Stadtwerke Köln f.l.t.r.: Future Managing Director Markus Sterzl, Managing Director Claudia Heckmann, outgoing Managing Director Dirk Kolkmann.
As of January 1, 2023, Markus Sterzl, authorized signatory and head of department at Stadtwerke Köln, will serve as the second managing director at KölnBäder GmbH. The company’s shareholders’ meeting has appointed Sterzl for five years as successor to Dirk Kolkmann, who will retire from the management of KölnBäder after three years for age reasons. While Claudia Heckmann has been serving as full-time managing director of KölnBäder since 2019, Sterzl will perform his duties on a part-time basis. KölnBäder GmbH is by 74% owned by Stadtwerke Köln, with the remaining shares held directly by the city of Cologne.
“The model of placing KölnBäder under a two-person management team, one member of which works directly in the group holding company of Stadtwerke, has proven its worth. Markus Sterzl will bring his many years of professional experience to his new task,” said Ralf Klemm, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KölnBäder.
Sterzl, 44, has headed the personnel and organization department at Stadtwerke Holding since February 2020. Born in Emden/East Frisia and after graduating from high school in Cologne and completing his master’s degree in political science, modern history and public law in Bonn in 2006, his career paths took him to the ver.di trade union in the Cologne district, where he served as managing director, among other professional duties. In addition, he was regional section head for the utilities and waste management sector in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“I would like to thank the shareholders for their trust and look forward to working with Claudia Heckmann and her team at KölnBädern. The company operates 13 modern pools and represents an important sports and leisure facility in the Cologne metropolis, which must be maintained with suitable measures despite a challenging situation on the energy market and against the background of a shortage of skilled workers. I also attach great importance to club and school sports facilities. This is one of the tasks of the Stadtwerke Group to provide services of general interest,” said Markus Sterzl. (eap)
