Potsdam/Cologne - 06 May 2025
UFA Show & Factual is about to undergo a significant change in management: Vanessa Schmit and Sascha Rustmeier will jointly take over the management of the production company on 1 July 2025. The duo will succeed Ute Biernat, who is retiring from operational management after more than 25 years and will support the company in an advisory capacity in future.

With this new appointment, UFA CEO Sascha Schwingel is continuing the strategic transformation of UFA. "With Vanessa Schmit and Sascha Rustmeier, we have found the ideal successors for our strong entertainment unit," says Schwingel. Both have many years of experience and extensive expertise in their respective specialist areas - Schmit in the creative and reality segment, Rustmeier in the commercial and innovation-driven area.

Vanessa Schmit was most recently Executive Director Reality at RTL Studios, where she was responsible for formats such as Ex on the Beach, Are You the One and Stranger Sins. She began her career at Endemol and worked at ITV and Warner Bros. Germany. She also has a wealth of experience in the factual sector, including in formats such as Goodbye Germany and Super Nanny.

Sascha Rustmeier was most recently Chief Operating Officer at RTL Studios, where he was in charge of the commercial fortunes of the production division. Previously, he was responsible for the branded entertainment sector at Endemol Shine and was honoured with a "Cannes Golden Lion" in 2015.

"I am incredibly excited about the new task of further developing UFA Show & Factual with its strong brands and experienced teams," says Schmit. The reality sector in particular is to be further expanded and reorganised under her leadership.

Rustmeier adds: "Our aim is to build up the New Business division sustainably and at the same time continuously strengthen the core business." While Schmit will be responsible for content in future, Rustmeier will be in charge of commercial management and innovation issues.

UFA Show & Factual, a company of the UFA Group under the umbrella of Fremantle, is one of the leading production houses for entertainment formats in Germany. With the new management duo, the company intends to further expand its position and position itself for the future.