UFA Group, the German production arm of FremantleMedia, has appointed Nico Hofmann (pictured, left) as co-CEO, effective immediately.

Reporting to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Hofmann will work alongside current CEO Wolf Bauer as part of a two-year transition plan. In September 2017, Bauer will hand over the reins to Hofmann in order to focus on producing.

For the time being, Hofmann and Bauer will have joint responsibility in guiding the company’s overall management with oversight on certain operations and units.

UFA develops and produces a broad range of programming, including such entertainment formats as German Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife.

“After 25 years of leading UFA to its outstanding market position, Wolf proposed to me a succession plan which made sense for both Wolf and the business and I happily accepted,” said FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz in a statement.