Upheaval at Fraunhofer - With Executive Team Changes Following Accusations of Financial Misconduct

Prof. Reimund Neugebauer has be forced out of his position as its President. It was announced that he would leave the role after ‘mutual agreement’ with the organisation. During his 11 year tenure, Neugebauer had successfully raised Fraunhofer’s profile, increased the number of areas it conducted research in (from 61 dedicated institutes to 76), expanded its workforce (with a current total of over 29,000 staff) and boosted its budget (reaching Euro 470 this year). However, in recent months, talk of misappropriation of funds and overinflated expense claims had marred these achievements - leading to questions about his leadership team’s activities even being asked in the German parliament. Prof. Holger Hanselka will now replace Neugebauer, having been unanimously elected by the Fraunhofer senate.