Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has confirmed that Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on December 1, 2026, succeeding interim CEO Andreas Pecher. The appointment, first announced in May 2026, marks a significant leadership transition for the medical technology company and its parent, Carl Zeiss AG. O’Connor will also join the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG, taking responsibility for the Medical Technology segment. The announcement, initially made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, underscores the company’s strategic focus on customer-driven innovation and business transformation.
O’Connor joins Carl Zeiss Meditec from Vitrolife Group, a publicly listed medtech company in Sweden, where she has served as CEO since 2023. Her career spans over two decades in international healthcare and medtech, including senior roles at Johnson & Johnson, Covidien (later acquired by Medtronic), and Thermo Fisher Scientific. At Thermo Fisher, she was Global President of the Immunodiagnostics Division and President for the EMEA region. Her experience in driving growth and operational excellence across diverse markets positions her to lead Carl Zeiss Meditec through its next phase of development.
“I am delighted to join Carl Zeiss Meditec and the ZEISS Group. The company combines deep scientific expertise, close customer relationships and a strong commitment to improving patient care. I look forward to working with our teams and customers to build on these strengths, advance innovation and successfully shape the next stage of the company’s transformation,” O’Connor said.
The leadership change comes as Carl Zeiss Meditec continues to innovate in diagnostic and treatment solutions for eye diseases and microsurgery. With 5,784 employees worldwide and revenue of EUR 2,228 million in fiscal year 2024/25, the company is a key player in the global medtech industry. O’Connor’s customer-focused approach and experience in business transformation are expected to accelerate the company’s strategic initiatives. Peter Kameritsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, commented, “With Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor, Carl Zeiss Meditec is gaining an internationally experienced medtech executive who will bring a strong customer and innovation perspective to the company.”
Effective December 1, 2026, the Management Board of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG will consist of O’Connor as CEO and Justus Wehmer as CFO. Simultaneously, the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG will include Andreas Pecher (President and CEO), Stefan Müller (CFO), Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor (Head of the ZEISS Medical Technology segment), 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). This alignment ensures continuity and focused leadership across the ZEISS Group’s diverse segments.
Andreas Pecher, who has served as interim CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec since January 1, 2026, while also leading Carl Zeiss AG, will continue as President and CEO of the parent company. Dr. Michael Bolle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG, expressed gratitude: “We would like to thank Andreas Pecher, both for his temporary dual role as CEO of the ZEISS Group and interim CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, and for providing important momentum during this period. With her excellent skills, Bronwyn Brophy O’Connor will now be able to further advance the strategy and transformation of the Medical Technology segment forward and contribute to the success of the ZEISS Group.”
O’Connor’s appointment is a strategic move to strengthen Carl Zeiss Meditec’s position in the competitive medtech landscape. Her track record in driving innovation and transformation will be crucial as the company navigates evolving healthcare demands. For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/med.
