The Best Managed Company 2026 seal recognises outstandingly managed medium-sized companies and is awarded as part of a programme run by Deloitte Private, UBS, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

Eva Baumann, CEO of CHT, says that this award comes at a time when their company has faced significant challenges and that this makes them see it all the more as confirmation that they are on the right track. Even though they are still on this journey and have not yet fully achieved their goal, this award is, according to her, valuable confirmation that they are taking the right steps. She explains that their goal is to be a clearer, more focused organization that is closer to their customers, thereby remaining competitive in the long term.

The selection process for the Best Managed Companies Award is rigorous and is based on a comprehensive analysis of key corporate dimensions, including strategy, innovation and performance, corporate culture, as well as governance and financial management. The evaluation takes place through a multi-stage process involving in-depth interviews and a final selection by an independent jury composed of representatives from the business, academic, and media sectors. From the perspective of the CHT Group, however, the focus is not on the award itself, but on what it reflects: a clear strategic direction, an efficient organization, and a value-based corporate culture that actively shapes change.

Incentive for a successful future

CEO Eva Baumann continues that this award is not an end in itself for them, but rather an incentive. She stated that they will steadfastly continue on their path of transformation with the goal of further strengthening their competitiveness and creating real added value for their customers.

The foundation-owned company has also been recognized for its valueoriented corporate governance: Markus Seiz, Director at Deloitte Private and Head of the Best Managed Companies Program, emphasizes that Best Managed Companies recognizes outstanding corporate leadership that creates stability and does not rest on past achievements and that behind the CHT Group there is a motivated team that takes responsibility on the basis of strong values - for its employees, the market, and society as a whole. He adds that this is paired with a distinctive corporate culture that consistently links economic strength with a clear contribution to the common good. In May, Eva Baumann accepted the Best Managed Company 2026 award on behalf of the dedicated team at the CHT Group from the evening’s host, Susanne Schöne, at the Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten in Frankfurt am Main.