Hampleton Partners Strengthens Automotive Expertise: Horst Bardehle Appointed Sector Principal for Automotive

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software, technology, and autotech companies, welcomes Horst Bardehle as Sector Principal for the Automotive Sector. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive industry, Bardehle brings extensive expertise across product development, corporate and production management, sales, and complex transformation and restructuring initiatives.

His career includes senior leadership roles at the Mercedes-Benz Group, the engineering and consulting services provider MBtech Group, Valmet Automotive, and Waldaschaff Automotive, a subsidiary of the Chinese Lingyun Industrial Group. In these positions, he was responsible for strategic vehicle programs as well as large-scale transformation and efficiency projects that delivered sustainable improvements in growth, operational performance, and financial stability.

“Horst Bardehle is a highly experienced industry expert with a deep understanding of the technological and structural changes shaping the automotive sector,” said Dr. Jan Eiben, Managing Partner at Hampleton Partners. “His extensive operational background combined with his strategic perspective will help our clients navigate a dynamic market environment and successfully execute transactions.”

Bardehle holds a degree in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and is also a certified advisory board member. His areas of focus include the development and implementation of corporate strategies, change management, project and crisis management, as well as the establishment of global teams and modern management systems.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the Hampleton Partners team and to taking on this new role,” said Horst Bardehle. “Drawing on my experience in the automotive industry, I aim to support companies through a challenging market phase by identifying growth opportunities and strengthening their competitive position through the targeted use of M&A where it makes strategic sense.”

With Bardehle’s appointment, Hampleton Partners continues to expand its leading position in Autotech & Mobility and further enhances its advisory capabilities for OEMs, suppliers, and technology-driven mid-sized companies.