DEMIRE: Frank Nickel resigns with immediate effect – Dr Dirk Rüffel takes over as Chairman of the Executive Board
Langen, 19 January 2026. The Supervisory Board of DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG (ISIN: DE000A0XFSF0) is announcing a leadership change at the firm. Frank Nickel has stepped down from his Executive Board member role with immediate effect to focus on other challenges amid this challenging market landscape.
Dr Matthias Prochaska, DEMIRE’s Supervisory Board Chairman, recognizes the outgoing CEO’s contributions: “Mr Nickel made a critical impact on DEMIRE during a tough period—most notably, he played a key part in the company’s successful refinancing. The Supervisory Board extends its heartfelt gratitude for his work and wishes him all the best in his professional and personal endeavors ahead.”
The Supervisory Board has named Dr Dirk Rüffel as a new Management Board member, effective February 1, 2026, and simultaneously appointed him as Management Board Chairman.
Dr Rüffel is a German attorney with decades of domestic and global experience in real estate and asset management. Before this appointment, he held roles including Managing Director at Lapithus Management GmbH (Frankfurt), Managing Director at Cerberus, and various leadership positions at Argoneo Real Estate (subsequently Bilfinger Real Estate Argoneo).
Dr Rüffel stated: “I’m extremely excited to take on this new challenge and thankful for the trust placed in me. Even in a still-challenging market, I’m optimistic we can unlock DEMIRE’s potential for continued growth.”
End of press release
DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG purchases and holds commercial properties in mid-sized cities and emerging suburban areas of Germany’s metropolitan regions. The firm’s key strength is unlocking real estate potential in these areas, and it targets an offering that appeals to both international and regional tenants. As of September 30, 2025, DEMIRE’s portfolio included 46 properties with approximately 573,000 square meters of leasable space. Including the proportionally owned Cielo property in Frankfurt am Main, the portfolio’s market value is roughly €0.9 billion.
The portfolio’s emphasis on office properties (with a mix of retail and hotel assets) aligns with the risk-return profile of the commercial real estate segment. The company prioritizes long-term leases with creditworthy tenants and unlocking asset potential, so it continues to forecast stable, sustainable rental income and steady value growth. DEMIRE plans to expand its portfolio significantly in the medium term. When growing the portfolio, it will focus on assets with strong Funds From Operations (FFO) and growth potential, while strategically divesting properties that do not fit its strategy. DEMIRE will also enhance its operations and processes through multiple initiatives. Alongside cost discipline, it is improving operational performance via active asset and portfolio management.
DEMIRE Deutsche Mittelstand Real Estate AG’s shares (ISIN: DE000A0XFSF0) are listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Contact:
Julius Stinauer
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Finance
+49 6103 372 49 44
ir@demire.ag
