Activity Report of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Uncertainty, economic stagnation and geopolitical conflicts characterised 2025 – with far-reaching consequences for politics, society and people’s personal circumstances. In times like these, institutions such as RAG-Stiftung, which stand for reliability, stability and confidence in the future, take on particular significance.
In financial year 2025, the Board of Trustees of RAG-Stiftung once again fulfilled the duties assigned to it under the foundation’s Articles of Association in a proper and diligent manner.
Over the course of three meetings, the 13 members of the Board of Trustees examined the foundation’s situation and priorities in detail and passed all necessary resolutions, including those relating to the 2024 Consolidated and Annual Financial Statements, the approval of the 2026 business plan, and the budget for education, science and culture for financial years 2027 to 2029. As a sign of our solidarity, we have additionally made a budget of 500,000 euros available for aid to Ukrainian refugees. At our September meeting, Kerstin Terhardt was appointed the future Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Dr. Jürgen Rupp. The appointment took effect on 7 May 2026.
The foundation’s Board of Executives provided the Board of Trustees with detailed information on all relevant developments at RAG-Stiftung during meetings and in its quarterly reports. The focus was on risk management, the performance of the broadly diversified investment portfolio, and the performance of Evonik Industries AG, RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Vivawest GmbH and RSBG SE. Furthermore, the Board of Executives presented the track record of the funding projects in education, science and culture.
On 5 May 2025, we welcomed Katharina Reiche, who succeeded Dr. Robert Habeck as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, and Lars Klingbeil, who succeeded Dr. Jörg Kukies as Federal Minister of Finance, as new members of the Board of Trustees.
As an investor and promoter, RAG-Stiftung makes an indispensable contribution to economic prosperity, innovation and social inclusion in the former hard coal mining regions of the Ruhr, the Saar and Ibbenbüren. Both now and in the future, it is a reliable partner and an inspiring example of successful industrial transformation.
Armin Laschet
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of RAG-Stiftung