Zeal Network has confirmed that chief marketing officer Dr Helmut Becker will replace Dr Hans Cornehl as chief executive when the latter’s current contract concludes at the end of this year.

Having served as chief executive for the past four years, Cornehl has balanced his responsibilities as CEO with his other position as chairman of the online lottery company.

Cornehl oversaw the rebranding of the company from Tipp24 last year and has also been a member of the firm’s executive board for the past 13 years.

However, Zeal announced today (Tuesday) that Cornehl had informed the firm’s supervisory board that he does not intend to renew his current contract when it expires on December 31 this year.

“The supervisory board has accepted his decision with regret and thanks Dr Cornehl for his exceptionally successful work on the strategic realignment and further development of the company,” Zeal said. 

Becker, who has held his current position since June 2013, is also a member of the Zeal executive board.

Prior to his time with Zeal, Becker enjoyed spells in various senior management positions with the likes of Xing as well eBay’s German arm, eBay Deutschland.