Ernest von Simson is a Research Partner at Ostriker Von Simson Inc.

FORBES: The Risks Of CEO Succession

Its chairman, Wilhelm Simson, insists the group will continue to stand on several legs, including energy, telecoms, packaging and chemicals.

ECONOMIST: German conglomerates

Mr Simson took the helm promising big changes at the company, which, like other conglomerates, had fallen out of favour with the market.

ECONOMIST: Cross-border mergers