Dr Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder of Leica Camera AG, has been honoured with the 2026 G·E·M Award by the German association for the study of branding. The award recognises his strategic leadership and long term commitment to strengthening and expanding the global presence of the Leica brand.

The honour was presented during a gala event in Darmstadt, where the jury recognised Kaufmann’s contribution to the development and international positioning of Leica as one of the most respected premium brands in photography and imaging technology.

The award was presented by Professor Achim Heine of the Berlin University of the Arts, who highlighted Kaufmann’s role in shaping Leica’s modern brand identity and guiding the company through a period of transformation and growth. According to Heine, Kaufmann acquired Leica around two decades ago during a challenging financial period for the company and helped place it back on a path of stability and long term development through sustained investment and strategic direction.

Today the Leica brand is widely associated with precision engineering, craftsmanship, timeless design and technological innovation. Under Kaufmann’s leadership, the company has expanded beyond its traditional core of cameras, lenses and sports optics to include additional product categories such as high quality smartphones, home cinema projectors, watches and spectacle lenses.

Another key element of Leica’s global development has been the expansion of its retail presence. Over the years, the company has built an international network of Leica Stores that now spans many major cities around the world. This network has helped strengthen the connection between the brand and its global community of photographers, collectors and enthusiasts.

Professor Heine also noted Kaufmann’s continued support for the culture of photography. Through initiatives such as Leica galleries, exhibitions and international photography awards, the company has played a significant role in supporting photographers and preserving photographic heritage worldwide. Leica currently operates around 30 galleries internationally and continues to promote photography through initiatives such as the Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Accepting the award, Dr Kaufmann expressed gratitude to the organisation and acknowledged the collective effort behind Leica’s global reputation. He noted that Leica has called Wetzlar its home for more than a century and continues to maintain a strong connection with an international community of photographers and imaging professionals.

Speaking on behalf of Leica Camera AG and its approximately 2,300 employees worldwide, Kaufmann thanked the association for recognising the company’s ongoing work in advancing imaging technology and preserving the values that define the Leica brand.

The G·E·M Award is presented annually by the German association for the study of branding to individuals who have made a lasting impact on brand development and management. Established in 2011, the award honours leaders who have shaped strong brands through vision, long term strategy and sustained influence. The award is not open for applications and recipients are selected through a nomination and evaluation process conducted by the association.

Leica Camera AG is an international premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics. As part of its long term growth strategy, the company has expanded into mobile imaging through smartphone collaborations and has also entered segments such as high quality spectacle lenses, watches and home cinema projection systems.

Headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, with an additional production facility in Vila Nova de Famalicão in Portugal, Leica operates a global network of distribution companies and around 120 Leica Stores worldwide. The Leica brand continues to represent excellence in quality, German craftsmanship and industrial design, combined with innovative technologies and a strong commitment to the culture of photography.