FORMER UFI chief executive Kai Hattendorf is joining JWC as managing partner amid leadership changes at the Germany-headquartered business events consultancy.
Hattendorf made his own announcement in a video on social media stating that he was also becoming a shareholder in JWC.
Since leaving UFI Hattendorf said he had observed changes such as the growing importance of sports events and new revenue models for exhibitions. He has published updates and commentary about these changes on his Substack channel and Eventsful newsletter.
Over the years JWC has “built a reputation second to none across the exhibition and conference space”, he said, adding that there would be more opportunity to work on wider segments of the business events industry such as destinations, associations, the “private equity side” and publicly owned.
Hattendorf will be joined in the managing partner role by Sebastian Witt while JWC founder and current chief executive, Jochen Witt will move to the role of executive chairman, the company announced.
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“Their deep understanding of the global events ecosystem will further strengthen and evolve JWC’s expertise and global reach,” the company said in a statement.
JWC’s current chief operating officer, Gerd Weber, will take up the role of CEO. The new structure is scheduled to commence in January 2026.
“After many successful years leading JWC as CEO, I am proud to hand over the leadership while continuing to guide the company as chairman,” said Jochen Witt. “With Gerd Weber continuing in a key role and Kai Hattendorf and Sebastian Witt joining our leadership team, we are ideally positioned to continue delivering first-class services and strategic excellence to our clients around the world.”
Kai Hattendorf and Sebastian Witt said: “JWC is a great place to work as entrepreneurs and to apply what we have learned in this industry in various roles for the benefit of our clients and the wider ecosystem. As business events, media, and associations evolve ever faster, we look forward to working for our clients to see and use the opportunities ahead.”
