Harald Christ reorganizes his group of companies and plans further acquisitions
Berlin, 23.01.2025 | Berlin-based entrepreneur Harald Christ is reorganizing his group of companies and will continue to expand his business under the name Christ Group. Christ & Company Consulting GmbH will be transformed into a holding company named Christ Capital GmbH, with Harald Christ as the sole shareholder and managing director. The growing advisory business with the two established brands Christ & Company and Joschka Fischer & Company will be consolidated into a new company. Christ Capital is planning additional corporate acquisitions and will provide the necessary growth financing.
With a business model that combines advisory and investment activities, Christ & Company is already one of the most successful consulting firms in its market segment in the DACH region as well as a leading German investor, notably in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Following the successful sale of its stake in the Berlin-based AI company G2K Group to ServiceNow and its extensive investment in the German AI pioneer Aleph Alpha, the group is planning to further broaden its investment portfolio. The focus will be on companies in disruptive technologies, renewable energies, restructuring situations, and corporate successions aimed at long-term continuation. Further acquisitions in the consulting business are also planned.
With a balance sheet total of around 140 million euros, a turnover in the double-digit million euro range, and an equity ratio of around 90 percent, Christ Group considers itself well-positioned for growth. An investment volume of up to 500 million euros has been allocated to support further expansion.
Harald Christ, Chairman of the Group, explains: “In Germany, we are witnessing an increasing trend of founder-led consultancies being sold to international players. Our group of companies is taking a different path. With this reorganization, we are paving the way for growth across all business areas after another record-breaking year – while remaining founder-led. In the long term, the charitable Harald Christ Foundation for Democracy and Diversity will become the testamentary shareholder of the Group.”
Growing consultancy business
The operational consulting business will be consolidated under a newly formed consulting holding company named Conomus Advisory & Investment GmbH & Co. KG. In this structure, Christ & Company GmbH & Co. KG (Christ & Company) and Joschka Fischer & Company GmbH (JF&C) will expand their consulting activities, continuing to operate as independent and strong brands.
The consulting focus areas include technology, investor relations, M&A, transformation, and energy. Recently, the consultancy has also strengthened its presence in aerospace and security. Furthermore, the firms provide cross-disciplinary services in strategy, communication, and public affairs, all from a single source.
The goal is to further strengthen Christ & Company's leading position in its market segment and grow the business internationally, particularly via JF&C. With its international consulting partners, such as those in the USA, JF&C is well-equipped for this role. The consultancy is also planning to open further offices in the EU capital Brussels and in other countries.
Investment and asset management activities will now be coordinated through Christ Capital. In 2023, the sale of a neighborhood retail portfolio valued at over one billion euros to Canadian investor Slate Asset Management was completed as part of the group’s investment in x+bricks Group.
New management in the consultancy business
The Management Board of Christ & Company will consist of Andreas Kuhlmann, Matthias Zeller, and Emil Graeber, previously Managing Director of JF&C. Harald Christ will no longer be part of the management team. The management of JF&C will remain unchanged, comprising Emil Graeber, Dietmar Huber, and Matthias Zeller.
Matthias Zeller and his MaZe Investment GmbH will hold 7.5 percent of the shares in Conomus Advisory & Investment GmbH & Co. KG, while the remaining 92.5 percent will be held by Christ Capital GmbH.
Last year, the Group acquired the historic Gerhardhaus in Berlin-Mitte, which will be converted into the Group's new headquarters by the end of the year to support further corporate growth.
About the Christ Group
Founded in 2004, the Christ Group has successfully combined advisory and investment activities under a single roof. With the strong consulting brands Christ & Company and Joschka Fischer & Company, the group advises its clients in areas such as technology, investor relations, M&A, transformation, and energy as well as interdisciplinary services relating to strategy, communication, and public affairs. As a business angel and venture builder, the Christ Group also acts as an entrepreneur, combining the focal points of its advisory brands as an investor in a holistic approach focusing on investments in technology companies. With a balance sheet total of around 140 million euros and around 70 employees, the Christ Group is one of the leading consulting companies in its market segment in the DACH region.
Contact for media enquiries
Alexander Graf v. Schmettow
M: +49(0) 173 5831320