Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board of K+S

The Supervisory Board appoints the members of the Board of Executive Directors and supervises and advises the Board of Executive Directors in the conduct of business. The Supervisory Board is directly involved in decisions of fundamental importance to the Company.

The Supervisory Board of K+S Aktiengesellschaft carries out its activities in accordance with the law, the Articles of Association, its bylaws, and responsible corporate governance. It consists of 16 members and, in accordance with the German Codetermination Act, is made up of an equal number of shareholder and employee representatives.

The work of the K+S Supervisory Board is distributed among various bodies. In accordance with the bylaws for the Supervisory Board, there are five committees (Mediation Committee pursuant to Section 27 (3) of the German Codetermination Act, Strategy Committee, Audit Committee, Personnel Committee and Nomination Committee), whose respective chairmen regularly report to the Supervisory Board on the work of the committees.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board coordinates the work of the Supervisory Board. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board is in close contact with the Board of Executive Directors, in particular its Chairman, between meetings.

Here you can find the supervisory board report for the 2024 financial year.

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Dr. Harald Schwager, shareholder representative (independent member), born 1960

Dr. Schwager in front of a white background, standing at a table

Graduate chemist (Dr. rer. nat.)

Entrepreneur (former Deputy Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Evonik Industries AG, Essen)

Chairman of the Supervisory Board since May 14, 2025
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment: May 14, 2025

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Chairman) (Group mandate)
- Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, Leverkusen

Other supervisory bodies:
- KSB Management SE, Frankenthal (Chairman of the Advisory Board)

Curriculum vitae Dr. rer. nat Dr. Harald Schwager

Other members of the Supervisory Board

Ralf Becker, Employee Representative - 1. Deputy Chairman, born in 1965

State District Manager North of ‘IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie’ (Mining, Chemical, and Energy Union), Hanover
Union Secretary

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: August 1, 2009

Other supervisory board mandates:
- Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH, Hanover (Deputy Chairman)
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Deputy Chairman) (Group mandate)
Group mandates of the Shell-group:
- Deutsche Shell Holding GmbH, Hamburg
- Shell Deutschland GmbH, Hamburg

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Ralf Becker

Thomas Kölbl, Shareholder Representative (independent member) - 2. Deputy Chairman, born in 1962, Financial Expert

Business graduate

Independent Consultant (former Chief Financial Officer of Südzucker AG, Mannheim)

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment: May 10, 2017

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Thomas Koelbl

Petra Adolph, Employee Representative, born in 1964

Masters in Political Science and Literature

Deputy State District Manager North of ‘IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie’ (Mining, Chemical, and Energy Union), Hanover

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: May 15, 2018

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)
- CEWE Foundation & Co. KGaA, Oldenburg

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Petra Adolph

André Bahn, Employee Representative, born in 1968

Electrician

Chairman of the general works council of K+S Group
Chairman of the works council of the Werra Plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: May 15, 2018

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV André Bahn

Carl-Albrecht Bartmer, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1961

Entrepreneur/Agriculturist (former President of Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (now DLG e.V.), Frankfurt)

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting 2028
Initial appointment: January 23, 2024

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)
- CLAAS KGaA mbH, Harsewinkel
- Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG , Gießen

Other supervisory bodies:
- Nordsaat Saatzucht GmbH, Langenstein (Chairman of the Supervisory Board)

CV Carl-Albrecht Bartmer

Prof. Dr. Elke Eller, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1962

Graduate economist

Professor

Investor (former member of the Board of Executive Directors of TUI Aktiengesellschaft, Hanover)

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting 2027
Initial appointment: May 15, 2018

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Prof. Dr. Elke Eller

Lars Halbleib, Employee Representative, born in 1978

Carpenter

2nd deputy Chairman of the General Works Council of the K+S Group
Chairman of the Works Council of the Neuhof-Ellers plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: August 12, 2022

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Lars Halbleib

Christiane Hölz, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1972

Lawyer

Managing Director of Deutsche Schutzvereinigung für Wertpapierbesitz e.V., Düsseldorf

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment: May 10, 2023

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)
- Gelsenwasser AG, Gelsenkirchen

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Christiane Hölz

Michael Knackmuß, Employee Representative, born in 1975

Mechanic

1st deputy chairman of the general works council of K+S Group
Chairman of the works council of Zielitz Plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: July 11, 2014

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Michael Knackmuß

Dr. Tilman Krauch, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1962

Independent Consultant (former Chief Technology Officer of Freundenberg SE, Weinheim)

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment: May 14, 2025

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
- Member of the Advisory Board of ARDEX Gmbh, Witten

CV Dr. Tilman Krauch

Gerd Kübler, Employee Representative, born in 1967

Graduate engineer

Werra Plant Manager, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: January 1, 2016

Other supervisory board mandates:
-

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Gerd Kuebler

Dr. Rainier van Roessel, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1957

Business graduate

Independent Consultant (former member of the Board of Executive Directors and Labor Relations Director of LANXESS AG, Cologne)

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting 2029
Initial appointment: June 10, 2020

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)
Group mandates of the LANXESS-group:
- LANXESS AG, Cologne (Chairman)
- LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, Cologne (Chairman)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Dr. Rainier van Roessel

Peter Trotha, Employee Representative, born in 1983

Industrial Mechanic

Chairman of the Works Council of the Bernburg plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: August 17, 2021

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Peter Trotha

Brigitte Weitz, Employee Representative, born in 1963

Personnel specialist

Chairwoman of the works council central technology South, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment: August 26, 2020

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)

Other supervisory bodies:
-

CV Brigitte Weitz

Christine Wolff, Shareholder Representative (independent member), born in 1960

Management Consultant

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment: May 10, 2023

Other supervisory board mandates:
- K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel (Group mandate)
- Sievert SE, Osnabrück
- Hochtief AG, Essen

Other supervisory bodies:
- Sweco AB, Stockholm

CV Christine Wolff

The Supervisory Board Committees

Six bodies for effective governance

The work of the K+S Supervisory Board is distributed among various bodies. In this way, we ensure efficient control and targeted handling of complex issues.

Mediation Committee

The Mediation Committee, formed in accordance with the provisions of the German Co-Determination Act, consists of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, his Deputy and one member each elected by the Shareholder and Employee Representatives. It submits proposals to the Supervisory Board for the appointment of members of the Board of Executive Directors if the required two-thirds majority is not reached in the first ballot.

Dr. Harald Schwager, Speyer, Chairman, Shareholder Representative

Entrepreneur (former Deputy Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Evonik Industries AG, Essen)
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment to committee: May 14, 2025

André Bahn, Schenklengsfeld, Employee Representative

Chairman of the General Works Council of K+S Group
Chairman of the Works Council of thr Werra plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: August 24, 2022

Ralf Becker, Lindwedel, Employee Representative

Regional Manager North of IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, Hannover (Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union)
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Thomas Kölbl, Leinsweiler, Shareholder Representative

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee was established at the Supervisory Board meeting on May 10, 2017, and is responsible for

Advising the Board of Executive Directors on the strategic development of the company, reviewing the corporate strategy and reporting to the Supervisory Board.
Preparing Supervisory Board decisions on transactions requiring approval, including acquisitions, divestments, capital investments, organizational changes or restructurings.
Advising the Executive Board on corporate strategy (including sustainability strategy), supporting and monitoring strategic initiatives, sustainable corporate governance and matters related to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
Supporting and overseeing the definition of sustainability targets, circular‑economy initiatives along the value chain, the implementation of the sustainability strategy and the initiation of sustainability‑related measures.

By resolution of the Supervisory Board on October 23, 2024, the committee was expanded by two additional members of the Supervisory Board.

Dr. Harald Schwager, Speyer, Chairman, Shareholder Representative

André Bahn, Hohenroda , Employee Representative

Chairman of the General Works Council of K+S Group
Chairman of the Works Council of the Werra plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: December 3, 2019

Ralf Becker, Lindwedel, Employee Representative

Regional Manager North of IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie, Hanover (Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union)
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Christiane Hölz, Düsseldorf, Shareholder Representative

Managing Director of Deutsche Schutzvereinigung für Wertpapierbesitz e.V., Düsseldorf
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment to committee: January 1, 2026

Peter Trotha, Könnern, Employee Representative

Chairman of the Works Council of the Bernburg plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: October 23, 2024

Christine Wolff, Hamburg, Shareholder Representative

Management Consultant
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment to committee: October 23, 2024

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for the

Oversight of financial and sustainability reporting (incl. IROs) as well as the effectiveness of internal control, risk management, internal audit, and compliance systems.
Preliminary review of the annual and consolidated financial statements and management reports as well as discussion of the audit report with the external auditor.
Preparation of Supervisory Board resolutions on the approval of the annual financial statements, endorsement of the consolidated financial statements and the proposal for profit appropriation.
Preparation of the nomination for the external auditor, including assessment of suitability, qualifications and independence.
Engagement of the external auditor, definition of audit focus areas, and agreement on audit fees.
Prior approval of permissible non‑audit services and monitoring of compliance with statutory fee caps, as well as oversight of the auditor’s activities, including regular exchanges on audit progress.
Ensuring that notifications regarding the Declaration of Compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code are made in cases of inaccuracies identified by the external auditor.
Discussion of half‑year financial reports and quarterly statements with the Executive Board.
Annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal control, risk management, internal audit, and compliance systems, as well as regular Executive Board reporting on process controls and measures addressing system deficiencies.
Preparation of the Supervisory Board’s report to the Annual General Meeting on the results of the audit of the financial statements and reports.
Obtaining information from relevant central departments by committee members through the committee chair, with onward communication to the committee and the Executive Board.

Thomas Kölbl, Leinsweiler, Chairman, Shareholder Representative, Financial Expert

Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment to committee: May 10, 2017

Petra Adolph, Hanover, Employee Representative

Deputy State District Manager North of ‘IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie’ (Mining, Chemical and Energy Union), Hanover
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Ralf Becker, Lindwedel, Employee Representative

Christiane Hölz, Düsseldorf, Shareholder Representative, Financial Expert

Lars Halbleib, Kalbach, Employee Representative

2nd Deputy Chairman of the General Works Council of K+S Group
Chairman of the Works Council of the Neuhof-Ellers plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: August 24, 2022

Dr. Harald Schwager, Speyer, Shareholder Representative

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee is responsible for

Preparing the appointment of Executive Board members, including long‑term succession planning as well as defining the terms and conditions of their service contracts.
Developing proposals for resolutions on the total compensation of Executive Board members including the integration of sustainability targets into remuneration.
Preparing the remuneration report in accordance with Section 162 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).
Preparing the Supervisory Board’s approval of secondary employment, external supervisory board mandates and other activities of Executive Board members.
Advising and overseeing matters related to diversity, equal opportunities, inclusion, occupational health management and social aspects.

Dr. Harald Schwager, Speyer, Chairman, Shareholder Representative

Ralf Becker, Lindwedel, Employee Representative

Prof. Dr. Elke Eller, Gründau, Shareholder Representative

Entrepreneur/Consultant/Coach (former member of the Board of
Executive Directors of TUI Aktiengesellschaft, Hanover)
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Michael Knackmuß, Farsleben, Employee Representative

1st Deputy Chairman of the General Works Council of K+S Group
Chairman of the Works Council of the Zielitz plant, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, Kassel
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2018

Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee has been established in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code to make recommendations to the Supervisory Board on shareholder proposals for the election of Supervisory Board members. It also prepares the competency profile for the supervisory board and reviews it regularly. The Nomination Committee consists exclusively of Shareholder Representatives.

Dr. Harald Schwager, Speyer, Chairman, Shareholder Representative

Carl-Albrecht Bartmer, Löbnitz, Shareholder Representative

Farmer (former President of the German Agricultural Society (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-gesellschaft, DLG))
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2028
Initial appointment to committee: January 23, 2024

Christine Wolff, Hamburg, Shareholder Representative

Management Consultant
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2027
Initial appointment to committee: May 15, 2023

Dr. Rainier van Roessel, Bergisch Gladbach, Shareholder Representative

Entrepreneur (former member of the Board of Executive Directors and Labor Relations Director of LANXESS AG, Cologne)
Mandate until the end of the ordinary Annual General Meeting in 2029
Initial appointment to committee: August 24, 2022

Special Committee

The Special Committee, which was established in January 2023, deals with measures to ensure compliance with internal business and conduct principles, as well as crisis situations such as geopolitical upheavals such as wars, energy shortages or pandemics. Due to the changing focus of the committee's work, members are appointed on a thematic basis.

Honorary Chairmen of the Supervisory Board

Our Honorary Chairmen

Dr. Ralf Bethke, born 1942

Business graduate

Member of the Supervisory Board: July 1, 2007 until the end of the Annual General Meeting 2017
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: May 14, 2008 until the end of the Annual General Meeting 2017
1991 - 2007: Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S Aktiengesellschaft

Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Ralf Bethke