HBC Holding is restructuring the management of its Austrian company. With Michael Patocka as CEO and Gerald Schwentner as Co-CEO, two proven industry experts and experienced leaders are assuming operational responsibility in one of the Group’s most strategically important markets.
They succeed Gert Schlossmacher, who initiated HBC’s market entry in Austria and played a decisive role in driving the build-up of the business in recent years. Under his leadership, Austria developed into an established, high-growth market within the HBC Group. With the handover of operational responsibility, HBC is implementing the next consistent step in its growth strategy. Michael Patocka and Gerald Schwentner will continue the successful development on the ground and provide new momentum for further expansion. In his role as CEO of the German holding company, Gert Schlossmacher will remain closely connected to the Austrian company in the future and will actively support the further development of the Austria business. The new leadership structure thus combines strategic continuity with operational strength and creates the best conditions for HBC’s next growth phase in Austria.
Österreich ist ein zentraler Wachstumsmarkt für uns. Mit Michael Patocka und Gerald Schwentner übertragen wir die Verantwortung bewusst an zwei Unternehmerpersönlichkeiten mit hoher operativer Nähe. Die neue Struktur schafft klare Verantwortlichkeiten. Damit legen wir die Basis für kontinuierliches Wachstum in Österreich und stärken die Integration der Unternehmen innerhalb unserer Gruppe.
Gert Schlossmacher, CEO HBC-Gruppe
Michael Patocka says: “I am looking forward to actively shaping HBC’s development in Austria together with Gerald Schwentner. We bring entrepreneurial experience, strong market knowledge and a shared understanding of sustainable growth. Our goal is to bring the strengths of our companies closer together and to consistently further expand the HBC Group’s market position in Austria.”
The new leadership duo of Michael Patocka, Managing Director of IRM-Versicherungsmakler & Beratungs GmbH, and Gerald Schwentner, Managing Director of UMBERIO GmbH, combines entrepreneurial experience, strong market expertise and an excellent network in the Austrian insurance market. With their companies IRM (part of the HBC Group since March 2026) and UMBERIO (part of the HBC Group since October 2025), they also represent two key pillars of growth for the Austrian business. Together, they create the best conditions to continue the successful development of recent years and to actively shape HBC’s next growth phase in Austria.
