Dr. Fabian Hänle. The China expert.
Professor
Appointed professor and adjunct faculty member at the Antwerp Management School, Fabian Hänle today teaches with great pleasure, creativity and commitment at renowned universities and business schools worldwide. In doing so, it is one thing above all that drives him: inspiring people. For Fabian Hänle, the most fulfilling task in life is to help other people fulfil their visions and empower them.
Currently in progress: 1st book publication
Fabian Hänle is writing a book about his 8-year experience as China CEO of a German global market leader and about the increasing internationalization of Chinese hidden champions. His aim is to inspire more mutual understanding as well as a critical and constructive dialogue between the Western nations and China.
Foundation of management consultancy
As a result of the increasing demand for expertise on China from European companies and politics, Fabian Hänle founds the international management consultancy Dr. Hänle & Partners based in Frankfurt, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Beijing. Consulting projects for well-known multinational corporations, governmental organizations and medium-sized companies are carried out immediately due to the high relevance of China in today’s global economy.
Speaker at conferences worldwide
Fabian Hänle is invited as a speaker at conferences worldwide, including a keynote speech at the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Brussels (2022), at the 25th Euro-Asia Conference hosted by the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland (2021) and the 10th International Engaged Management Scholarship (EMS) Conference organized by the Weatherhead School of Management in Cleveland, USA (2020).
International publications
The internationalization of Chinese SMEs and the role of the political dimension - a new challenge, but also an opportunity for Germany. Exclusive insights from interviews conducted by Fabian Hänle over three years in China. 1 book chapter and 3 articles in scientific journals as of today.
PhD on China
Completion of an extra-occupational doctorate on the internationalization of Chinese medium-sized companies and the role of the political dimension and cooperation between China and Germany. The public defense at the University of Antwerp & Antwerp Management School on November 5, 2021 is live streamed to more than 10 countries worldwide due to great interest.
2013-2021: Successful as CEO in China
After more than 8 highly successful years as CEO of Blickle China, Fabian Hänle is handing over management in China to a leadership team he has built up over years and is returning to Germany. The balance sheet: Break-even in the 2nd financial year, an exceptionally high level of employee satisfaction and loyalty, the development of the company in China into one of the largest and most successful subsidiaries worldwide (sales and EBIT), as well as the gained position as one of the recognized market leaders in China.
Unique experience on China
Since 2013, Fabian Hänle and his wife have been celebrating the annual Chinese New Year with the family in the traditional Chinese way. The grandparents Guo Ting Kui (94) and Wang Pei Jie (95) witnessed the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing and have a unique wealth of experience that they pass on to Fabian Hänle.
Wedding in China
Marriage with Jia Guo, an internationally successful Chinese entrepreneur, together with the family in Shandong.
Invitation from President Macron
On November 4, 2019, in preparation for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Macron invites to a personal exchange with high-ranking representatives of German and French companies in Shanghai. These included chairmen and board members of BASF, Siemens, L'Oréal and Louis Vuitton. In addition to the French delegation, 20 German representatives are invited, including: Dr. Fabian Hänle and Dr. Martin Brudermüller (Chairman BASF). During the event, Dr. Hänle has the opportunity to talk with President Macron about the role of a strong EU in the face of global challenges such as negotiations with China. Leading European media (FAZ, Spiegel, Zeit, NZZ) report about the event.
Press release FAZ November 4, 2019
Press release French Embassy November 4, 2019
Press release NZZ November 4, 2019
CEO Roundtable with Germany’s business and political elite
Fabian Hänle discusses with the German Federal Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek (Merkel cabinet IV), the current Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce China Bettina Schön-Behanzin, the Executive Director of the German Chamber of Commerce China Simone Pohl, the CEO of VW China Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, Webasto board member Freddy Geeraerds, and other leading personalities from Germany’s business and political elite about the most important challenges and strategies of European companies in China.
2019-present: Passing on and helping those around us
Monthly school sponsorship of 7 children in Nepal via Om Shivom Nepal e.V. as well as support for social projects in Germany and Bangladesh via the Förderbrücke Balingen e.V. - if you are interested in participating, please let us know.
MBA at elite university as “Best of Class”
Graduated from the Executive MBA at the elite Shanghai Tongji University and Mannheim Business School as the best in class. This is followed by lectures as a guest professor at leading business schools and universities in China and Europe.
Business-fluent Chinese skills
Fabian Hänle travels 3 years during his vacation time to a mountain town in northern China with no foreigners and no English, where he lives with an elderly Chinese couple and studies with a local teacher seven days a week. In 2015 he passed the official Chinese HSK 5 exam (level C1, business fluent).
2013-2021: CEO in China
Appointed as CEO China at the age of 26. Development of the subsidiary of the German world market leader Blickle in China (Suzhou) with P&L responsibility from scratch on. Outstandingly successful development from zero to one of the market leaders in China (2013-2021). Press reports and interviews will follow.
2010-2013: Area Manager Asia-Pacific
Youngest area manager in company history. Responsible for international sales and the internationalization of the German group and world market leader Blickle in Asia-Pacific. Sales increases of +50% in three years and pro-active initiation of market entry in China.
2007-2010: Bachelor of Arts
International business studies at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University with company projects abroad in France and Canada and scholarship for the USA (University of California Santa Barbara).
1987-2007: Origin and school education
Born on 23.09.1987 in southern Germany (Albstadt), primary school and Abitur in 72336 Balingen. As a child, Fabian enjoyed creative building, reading with his family, surfing in the waves of the Atlantic ocean and playing soccer with friends.
CV Dr. Fabian Hänle
Business background:
Fabian Hänle has more than 16 years of experience in senior management and sales and marketing positions in Germany, North America, and Asia-Pacific. He has lived and worked abroad in Canada, France, USA, and China. During his eight-year tenure as China CEO he has founded and developed the Chinese branch of a German hidden champion firm from scratch into one of the market leaders. He is the founder and today’s Managing Partner of the international investment consultancy Dr. Hänle & Partners with headquarters in Balingen and Frankfurt and partner locations in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Qingdao, and Beijing. Fabian Hänle speaks fluent German, English and Chinese for social, professional, and academic purposes.
Academic background:
For his bachelor’s degree in international business Fabian Hänle studied at the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) and, thanks to an awarded scholarship, at the University of California in the USA (UCSB). Years later and already as CEO in China, he graduated at the Executive MBA program of Mannheim Business School and Shanghai Tongji University as Best of Class. Continuing his pursuit for academic excellence and for bridging theory to practice, Fabian Hänle then joined the Executive PhD program at Antwerp Management School and the University of Antwerp, where he obtained his PhD in 2021 and was appointed Adjunct Professor in 2023. He is the author of multiple book chapters and academic articles in international, peer-reviewed journals. Through his business experience and continuous on-the-ground research in China, Fabian Hänle became a globally leading expert in the internationalization of German and Chinese hidden champions and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
