Rabe replaces Habets as RTL CEO

European media giant RTL Group has named its chairman as its new CEO following the news that Bert Habets has left the company.

Thomas Rabe

Habets, who took sole charge of Fremantle’s parent company at the end of 2017 following the departure of Guillaume de Posch, has stepped down as RTL CEO for personal reasons.

Thomas Rabe takes over as CEO in addition to his duties as chairman and CEO of RTL parent Bertelsmann. RTL vice-chairman Martin Taylor has replaced Rabe as RTL chairman, with James Singh taking up Taylor’s former position.

Taylor said: “I thank the board for their vote of confidence in appointing me as the new chairman. I would also like to thank Thomas Rabe for accepting the position of chief executive officer of RTL Group. Thomas is an experienced media executive with extensive knowledge of the TV business and of RTL Group.”

Rabe said: “We thank Bert Habets for more than 20 years in various managerial positions at RTL Group and wish him all the best for the future. RTL Group will continue to focus on three priorities: further strengthening its core TV, audio and production business; building local video streaming champions; and growing its advertising technology business.”

Rabe arrived at RTL in 2000 as chief financial officer. He joined the board in 2006 and was made chairman in 2012.