Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, explained the move: "We are separating the two business divisions of marketing/distribution and communication to increase the effectiveness of each individual discipline." The complexity of the tasks in these two areas has grown enormously in the times of digitisation and internationalisation of football, and Carro added. "We want to stay abreast of these developments and Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the services of proven experts for these positions in Bernd Schröder and Holger Tromp."
After four years at Bayer 04, Jochen A. Rotthaus now sees "the time has come for a change in career. I would like to start something new, renew my passion for marketing, management, consultancy and leadership and, above all, contribute my many years of experience and networks," said Rotthaus.
Holger Tromp has worked in sports communication at home and abroad for 15 years including for the international tennis governing body ATP from 2004 to 2008. The 46-year-old was also director of media and communication at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from 2011 to 2014 enabling him to gain management experience in the Bundesliga. For the past four years Tromp was a media adviser to management, clubs and associations in sport including Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Dr. Bernd Schröder was chairman of the board at Christ jewellers and watchmakers from 2013 to 2017. Before that, the graduate economist worked in different management positions for the Bertelsmann group including the running of various international membership clubs for many years. Schröder spent three years as managing director of the Lagardère group. The 52-year-old from Münster founded a platform for company building this year with partners and he has also been involved in several start-ups.
