Harsewinkel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany – November 2025 — Antje Kunkies has been appointed as the new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MERKUR GROUP, taking charge of the Group’s global HR strategy effective 1 January 2026. In this newly created role, she will assume end-to-end responsibility for shaping the organisation’s people agenda across its expansive European entertainment, gaming, and technology ecosystem. Her appointment reflects MERKUR GROUP’s commitment to strengthening its HR governance, leadership capability, and strategic workforce foundations for the future.
Antje most recently served as Senior Vice President Global Human Resources for the Self-propelled Harvesters Business Unit and SU Manufacturing at CLAAS, where she guided global HR strategy, workforce development, and organisational capability. She previously held the role of Senior Director – Global HR Business Partner for the Business Unit Grain, overseeing global talent management, operational HR, transformation initiatives, and leadership alignment across the company’s international agricultural machinery operations.
Before these global responsibilities, Antje played an integral leadership role at CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH, serving as Head of the Personnel Department, where she led HR operations, workforce planning, and employee development over an extended tenure. Her work contributed significantly to modernising HR processes, strengthening talent readiness, and supporting large-scale organisational functions across Germany.
Earlier in her career, Antje built over 12 years of multidimensional HR leadership at DMG MORI, holding several personnel and HR department leadership roles across business units such as DECKEL MAHO Seebach GmbH, GILDEMEISTER Energy Solutions, a+f GmbH, DMG Electronics, and DMG Automation. She also served as HR Manager at DMG MORI Aktiengesellschaft, gaining vital experience in manufacturing-led HR, labour relations, organisational development, and leadership enablement across multiple German regions. These cumulative experiences position her strongly to lead HR for a global, innovation-led group like MERKUR.
About MERKUR GROUP
MERKUR GROUP is a family-owned global entertainment organisation with a legacy of more than 65 years, known for its innovative approach to gaming, entertainment experiences, and technology-driven solutions. With nearly 15,000 employees across Europe, the Group operates MERKUR Casino, online gaming businesses, licensed casinos, and industry-leading game development and manufacturing companies.
The organisation’s portfolio spans 30 operating subsidiaries, creating extensive career and innovation opportunities supported by a strong culture grounded in trust, creativity, and the iconic MERKUR-SPIRIT. Rooted in regional heritage yet global in scale, MERKUR GROUP continues to build the future of entertainment through an enduring combination of tradition, expertise, and forward-thinking innovation.
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