Christoph Gottschalk

Christoph Gottschalk specializes in senior executive search assignments in the areas of nonprofit, government affairs and media. Based in Hamburg, he recruits senior executives within the public sector and for public policy organizations. Furthermore, he is a member of the Digital Transformation Practice helping clients move through their digital evolution. He has also completed various assignments for clients in the energy and industry sec.

Recent Client Experience

Christoph serves clients globally and he led searches for, inter alia, CEOs of leading international NGOs and foundations, for leaders of government organisations and University Presidents. Furthermore, he has advised a number of large international companies on the recruitment of senior corporate communications executives and government affairs directors. Christoph has also recruited innovative leaders to media companies which were going through a major transition period, including digital transformation.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Christoph was the German Adviser to the French Prime Minister. His responsibilities included Franco-German relations, bilateral meetings, policy analyses, and the preparation and drafting of speeches. Previously, he served in senior project management and adviser roles, including with the Franco-German Youth Organisation, the Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation and the Werkstatt Deutschland.

Earlier, Christoph worked for the TV channel ZDF, the German Opera in Berlin and for a Member of the European Parliament. He was President and Chairman of the European Youth Parliament and organised high-profile international conferences for various non-governmental organisations. He also chaired several political debates, including a TV debate between Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and President Jaques Chirac in 2003.

Additional Professional Activities

Christoph is a member of the advisory board of Bucerius Law School’s Center for Studium Generale and Personal Development and a member of the German Committee of Human RIghts Watch. Christoph is also a member of the jury selecting the "Young European of the Year", Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Stiftung and an alumni of the Summer Academy Europe of the Bertelsmann Foundation. Christoph was a Chairperson at several Young Leaders conferences and he is a regular speaker at political panels on European affairs and socio-political matters.

Education

Christoph graduated from Leibniz College in Tübingen and received his M.Sc. in European Public Policy from the University of London, Birkbeck College. He is fluent in English, French and German.