Press Release 10th March 2025

Changes at PENNY Austria: Niko Karras takes over from Mike Podobrin as a member of the Management Board

Niko Karras, previously Sales Director at PENNY Austria, joins Kai Pataky on the PENNY Management Board on April 1. Mike Podobrin is leaving the company for personal reasons. Mike Podobrin has been Managing Director of Penny Austria since May 2023 and previously held management responsibility for Penny International in Germany since 2016. Podobrin has now decided to leave the company for personal reasons.

Niko Karras, previously Sales Director at PENNY Austria, joins Kai Pataky on the PENNY Management Board on April 1

Niko Karras, previously Sales Director at PENNY Austria, joins Kai Pataky on the PENNY Management Board on April 1 / Copyright: PENNY / Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

Download

Niko Karras and Kai Pataky to form future management team

With effect as of April 1, 2025, Niko Karras will join the Management Board of PENNY Austria and will be responsible for the Sales, Construction and Furnishings departments, as well as for Expansion and People and Culture with a coordination function in REWE International AG.

Niko Karras (45) joined PENNY Austria in December 2019 as Sales Director and is currently responsible for 320 PENNY stores in Austria. Before joining PENNY, the business law graduate started as a trainee at ALDI NORD in Germany, where he held various management positions.

Pataky becomes Spokesman of the Management Board

Kai Pataky (44), Managing Director of PENNY Austria, will take over Mr Podobrin's responsibilities for Purchasing, Marketing, Auditing and Organization as well as Strategy and Project Management in addition to the Controlling and Corporate Communication departments. Kai Pataky has also been appointed Spokesman of the Management Board.

Both Managing Directors will report to Michael Jäger, CEO of REWE International AG, who is pleased with the new management structure: “With Niko Karras, we have gained a sales manager from our own ranks with a great deal of experience and expertise who knows the Austrian market very well. My thanks go to Mike Podobrin, who has helped to develop and shape PENNY International for many years and is now leaving the company for personal reasons. I am convinced that with Kai Pataky and Niko Karras we are well positioned to master future challenges and continue to lead PENNY Austria successfully.”