Nico Hofmann takes the helm at UFA

Nico Hofmann has become the sole CEO of German prodco UFA, a move that has been in the works since 2015.

Hofmann will assume overall management responsibilities for all operations and units within UFA, working closely with parent FremantleMedia’s global network, including its worldwide production units and licensing and sales operations.

Remaining on FremantleMedia’s operating board, Hofmann will also continue to report into FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

The move comes as part of a two-year plan in which Hofmann and Wolf Bauer played the role of co-CEOs, with Bauer now stepping down to focus on consulting for UFA, which is behind Deutschland 83 and new ZDF Martin Luther-themed drama Reformation.

Bauer will focus on the development and production of a range of film and television projects.

Frot-Coutaz said: “Nico and Wolf have managed a smooth and successful transition, during which time UFA’s market position and global reputation have grown even further. Nico is one of Europe’s most visionary and respected drama producers and will – in this, its 100^th anniversary year – take UFA to even greater heights.

“I would like to thank Wolf for his phenomenal contribution to UFA and to the industry as a whole, and to say how delighted I am that we will continue to benefit from his creativity and flair as he embarks on the next stage of his career.”

UFA consists of production units UFA Fiction, UFA Serial Drama and UFA Show & Factual, as well as UFA Lab.