Oliver Frese, a former member of show organiser Deutsche Messe's board, will take on the position of COO at Koelnmesse, the company behind events including imm cologne and interzum, on 1st January.
As COO, he will be responsible for the operative development of Koelnmesse's event portfolio.
"With Oliver Frese, we have gained an extremely experienced trade fair manager and an authentic leader who we trust will be able to integrate new events as well as further develop Cologne's traditional trade fairs to meet the requirements of the modern trade fair business," says chairwoman of the supervisory board and Cologne's mayor Henriette Reker, following the committee's decision.
He succeeds Katharina Hamma, who left the company at the end of last year.
Gerald Böse, president and CEO of Koelnmesse, agrees: "With Oliver Frese, a dynamic and recognised trade fair professional is coming to Cologne, who has experienced all the facets of the rapidly transforming trade fair industry in his successful career to date."
Oliver boasts 14 years of service with Deutsche Messe. Prior to his board position, he was responsible for the Hannover Messe until 2013. On the management board, he was responsible for technology, gastronomy and services, as well as the ICT and digital business events area and all public trade fairs at the Hannover site.
