Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Charité reorganises corporate communications

Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin is reshaping its communications set-up. As of 1 May 2026, the former corporate communications division will be split into two closely connected units: Brand & Corporate Identity and Media & Politics.

The reorganisation reflects changing expectations for speed, dialogue and transparency in internal and external communications, influenced by digitalisation and social media. It is also intended to strengthen Charité’s positioning in the competition for patients, medical and scientific talent, funding, and public and private support.

Brand & Corporate Identity

The Brand & Corporate Identity unit will be headed by Manuela Zingl. It brings together key capabilities related to brand stewardship and consistent corporate presentation, including corporate brand, internal communications, online, event management and alumni relations.

Zingl has been with Charité since December 2008. From 2012 she served as Charité’s spokesperson, most recently as corporate spokesperson. She led the former corporate communications division from June 2018 on an interim basis, and officially from March 2019.

Media & Politics

The new Media & Politics unit combines press and media relations, social media, political communications and science communications. The aim is to identify relevant topics earlier, explain them clearly and distribute them across channels. Charité also plans to intensify its dialogue with political decision-makers at state and federal level.

The unit will be led by Markus Heggen, who will also serve as corporate spokesperson. Heggen has 15 years of experience in television journalism and joined Charité in November 2020. He first worked as press spokesperson, then headed the newsroom from June 2023. Since January 2025, he has been acting head of the former corporate communications division as parental leave cover for Manuela Zingl.