History of ZEW
History of the Institute
History of the Institute
Notable ZEW Visitors
Current and Past ZEW Presidents
Achim Wambach // since 2016
Achim Wambach
ZEW President since 2016Achim Wambach, PhD has been the president of ZEW since April 2016 and is professor of economics at the University of Mannheim. His research interests include issues relating to market design and competition policy. He was a member of the Monopolies Commission from 2014 to June 2022 and was its chairman from 2016 to September 2020. For the 2017-2018 term of office, he was chairman of the Verein für Socialpolitik (German Economic Association). He is also a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, which he chaired from 2012 to 2015.
Clemens Fuest // 2013-2016
Clemens Fuest
ZEW President from 2013 to 2016During his presidency, Professor Clemens Fuest strengthened ZEW’s role as one of Europe’s leading economic research institutes. He also established the current Research Group “Inequality and Public Policy” at ZEW.
Wolfgang Franz // 1997-2013
Wolfgang Franz
ZEW President from 1997 to 2013Professor Wolfgang Franz served as ZEW president from 1997 to 2013 and provided the institute with important scientific and structural impetus. Until 2013, he was chairman of the German Council of Economic Experts. In recognition of his outstanding commitment to ZEW, the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, awarded him the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Cross of Merit 1st Class), at his farewell from ZEW.
Heinz König // 1991-1997
Heinz König
ZEW President from 1991 to 1997Professor Heinz König is the scientific founding father of ZEW Mannheim. As one of Germany’s leading economists, he was instrumental in establishing the research institute and helped ZEW to its current position in the international research landscape. His high academic reputation, his experience as a research manager and his eye for committed and talented employees have had a lasting impact on ZEW.
Current and Past ZEW Managing Directors
Claudia von Schuttenbach // seit 2024
Claudia Schuttenbach
Managing Director since 2024Before joining ZEW, Claudia von Schuttenbach was chancellor of Hochschule Mannheim – University of Applied Sciences, specialising in finance, human resources, legal affairs and construction. She collaborated closely with various academic institutions and authorities and actively participated in statewide working groups addressing leadership topics, bureaucracy reduction, and digitalisation of administration.
Thomas Kohl // 2004-2024
Thomas Kohl
Managing Director from 2004 to 2024Thomas Kohl came to ZEW in 1992. Initially as head of Human Resources, he later took over responsibility for the “General Services” Unit. In 2004, he became the managing director of ZEW. Thomas Kohl has been a member of various national and international working groups, advisory boards and committees, and a visiting professor at two Chinese universities. He initiated and is one of the four founding directors of the Leibniz ScienceCampi “Mannheim Centre for Competition and Innovation” and “MannheimTaxation”.
Ernst O. Schulze // 1991-2004
Ernst O. Schulze
Managing Director from 1991 to 2004Ernst O. Schulze joined ZEW at the end of 1990 and, as one of the two founding directors, played a key role in supporting and shaping the institute’s start-up phase. As a science manager, his expertise, experience and contacts in the fields of research and science played a decisive role in the successful development and expansion of ZEW. He was particularly instrumental in introducing modern management tools and techniques appropriate to the scientific field, such as a flexible financial statute and computerised planning and control instruments.