Hamburg, 19 December 2022 - Wilhelm Wellner, former Spokesman of the Executive Board of Deutsche EuroShop (DES), has died at the age of 55 after a short, serious illness. This was announced by his family at the weekend.

Mr Wellner was appointed to the Executive Board of Deutsche EuroShop on 1 February 2015, initially as Chief Operating Officer (COO). From July 2015 until his retirement this year due to illness, Wilhelm Wellner was Spokesman of the Executive Board (CEO) of the shopping center investor.

Reiner Strecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche EuroShop: "It was with great dismay and sadness that we learned of the health development and unexpected death of our former CEO Wilhelm Wellner. With his financial expertise, his many years of shopping center experience and his commitment, he played a key role in driving DES forward. Milestones of his tenure were the purchase of a 50% stake in the Saarpark-Center in Neunkirchen and the group's largest investment to date, the Olympia Center in Brno, Czech Republic. The 'Digital Mall' as an omni-channel solution was always an important project for Mr. Wellner to connect online trade with stationary retail in the DES shopping centers. With thoughtful foresight, he steered our company through the Corona pandemic, always striving for fair and cooperative solutions with the tenants for both sides. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to Mr Wellner's wife and children. We will always honour his memory."