Merkur Group appoints Manuel Kreft as Chief Information Security Officer

The Merkur Group has created a new Group-level Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role, appointing long-serving executive Manuel Kreft to lead its global information security strategy from March.

Kreft, a native of Minden, has been with the company since 1997, when he joined as its first dual student from East Westphalia. After completing a degree in business informatics, he progressed through various roles at Beit GmbH, the Group’s central IT service provider. Most recently, he served as authorised signatory and Head of IT Infrastructure & Operations.

With more than 25 years’ experience in information security, Kreft has been closely involved in establishing an information security management system aligned with ISO 27001 standards across the organisation. He has also overseen international IT and security projects within multiple Merkur subsidiaries.

In his new role, Kreft will report directly to CEO Lars Felderhoff and work alongside the Management Board. His remit includes developing a Group-wide information security strategy and implementing uniform global standards across the company’s 15,000 employees. A key priority will be the establishment of an internal competence centre for information security.

According to the company, the objective is to strengthen digital resilience by identifying and mitigating potential risks to data and IT systems at an early stage. The move comes as gaming and technology groups face increasing regulatory and cybersecurity demands across multiple jurisdictions.

Kreft described information security as an ongoing process, emphasising the importance of continuous development to safeguard competitiveness and innovation over the long term.

This appointment arrives amid a wider wave of organisational restructuring within the Merkur Group. Earlier this year, the Group saw key leadership transitions across its subsidiaries. 

In Spain, Merkur Dosniha initiated a leadership handover following the departure of long-time CEO Carlos Chacón, with COO Lara Knuchel and CFO Juanjo Mayol stepping into joint management roles. 

Simultaneously, Merkur Service transitioned to a new dual-leadership team, appointing Sören Pinke and Julian Fend to oversee operational and commercial divisions, respectively.