Having just announced market share gains across all businesses for the financial year 2024/25, Switzerland-based hearing aid giant Sonova has divulged a coming change at the top of its management structure. And the new leader is a familiar face in the industry.

Sonova has given its CEO post to Eric Bernard, who served from 2019 to 2024 as CEO of WS Audiology. He will join Sonova on July 1, 2025, and assume full responsibilities as CEO by October 1, 2025.

Arnd Kaldowski, the current CEO, who is stepping down because of an illness in the family, will remain available to the Group in an advisory capacity until June 2026.

Robert Spoerry, Chair of Sonova, states: “Sonova is in an even stronger position today than it was eight years ago. On behalf of the Sonova Board of Directors, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for Arnd’s dedicated service and remarkable contributions.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bernard, cosmopolitan entrepreneur

 

Eric Bernard brings over 30 years of global experience and proven commercial leadership capabilities in the hearing care and optical industry. From 2019 to 2024, he served as CEO of WS Audiology, a global leader in the hearing care sector, successfully managing the merger and integration of Widex and Sivantos. Prior to that, he spent 25 years in country, regional, and global leadership roles at Essilor, a world leader in the optical industry, where he was also a member of the Executive Committee. Bernard received his master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Social Sciences from Université Paris Dauphine-PSL, France, and is a graduate from ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France.

Robert Spoerry adds: “I am very pleased to welcome Eric Bernard as the new CEO of Sonova. He has been appointed after a thorough selection process and will assume his position on October 1, 2025. Eric’s extensive global leadership experience and management skills in the hearing care and adjacent industries are essential as we continue to advance Sonova’s vision and build on our leadership in innovative hearing care solutions. I am convinced that Eric will ensure continuity and further advance the Group in line with its successful strategy.”

 

Financial year 2024/25: Sonova achieves market share gains across all businesses

 

Sonova has announced its results for the 2024/25 financial year. With market share gains across all four businesses in the second half, Group sales reached CHF 3,865.4 million (4,135.8 million euros), an increase of 7.6% in local currencies. Adjusted Group EBITA achieved an increase of 7.4% in local currencies.

Growth accelerated in the second half-year, driven by the successful launch of the Infinio and Sphere Infinio platforms in August, both of which received positive feedback and supported further growth in the Hearing Instruments and Audiological Care businesses, says the Sonova announcement.

 

 

 

Solid performance across all regions despite subdued market development

 

“Sales in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) increased by 7.0% in local currencies. Growth was adversely affected by weaker-than-anticipated market conditions. This was partly mitigated by market share gains following the successful launch of the new platforms in August 2024, as well as by bolt-on acquisitions, mainly in Germany”, continued the Sonova release.

In the United States, sales rose by 7.7% in local currency, bolstered by above market growth in the Hearing Instruments business following the recent platform launches. Development was held back by a decline in the private hearing aid market in the final months of the financial year, as consumers grew increasingly hesitant due to widespread economic uncertainty.”

 

Sonova outlook 2025

 

The Swiss group says it is embarking on 2025 business “from a position of strength”.

For the full 2025/26 financial year, Sonova expects consolidated sales to increase by 5%-9%, and EBITA – normalised for special items but including restructuring costs – to grow in a range of 14%-18% when measured at constant exchange rates.

Source: Sonova