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Thomas Rabe

Operator

Thomas Rabe is Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, a role he has held since January 1, 2012; Thomas Coesfeld is due to succeed him on January 1, 2027. From April 2019 to May 2026 he was also CEO of RTL Group, Bertelsmann's broadcasting business, handing over to Clément Schwebig. He joined Bertelsmann as Group CFO in 2006, after serving from 2000 as CFO and a member of the Executive Committee of RTL Group and, before that, as CFO of Cedel International (later Clearstream). He holds a diploma and a doctorate in economics from the University of Cologne.

Last updated Sep 28, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Role
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Company
Bertelsmann
Based
Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Boards
4
Connections
3

AI-drafted from public sources8 sources cited

Years in industry
15 years

Bio

Thomas Rabe is Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, a role he has held since January 1, 2012; Thomas Coesfeld is due to succeed him on January 1, 2027. From April 2019 to May 2026 he was also CEO of RTL Group, Bertelsmann's broadcasting business, handing over to Clément Schwebig. He joined Bertelsmann as Group CFO in 2006, after serving from 2000 as CFO and a member of the Executive Committee of RTL Group and, before that, as CFO of Cedel International (later Clearstream). He holds a diploma and a doctorate in economics from the University of Cologne.

Career

Roles with a cited source. All linked roles are in the Roles tab.

Expertise & education

Expertise

Digital Media TransformationProgrammatic AdvertisingConnected TV AdvertisingStreaming MediaEuropean AdTech EcosystemMedia M&AData-Driven AdvertisingBroadcasting and Video Advertising

Education

  • Diploma and doctorate in economics, University of Cologne

Speaking topics

Future of European Broadcasting and StreamingDigital Advertising and the Challenge to Big TechMedia Consolidation and M&A StrategyAddressable TV and Connected TV AdvertisingSustainability in Media

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann since January 1, 2012
  • CEO of RTL Group from April 2019 to May 2026

Awards

Named among top media executives in European industry rankings by trade publications
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