Axel Springer editor Jan Philipp Burgard exits after workplace probe

Jan Philipp Burgard, the editor in chief of the German broadsheet Welt, left Axel Springer after an investigation into inappropriate behavior, according to three people familiar with the matter. Axel Springer is the German media giant that owns titles including Politico and Business Insider.

The inquiry into Mr. Burgard began this month after executives received a media inquiry about his conduct at an alcohol-filled company Christmas party in December, two people said. Investigators questioned him about whether he had behaved inappropriately toward female employees, including whether he had kissed them; Mr. Burgard acknowledged drinking at the party but said he could not recall whether the reports were true, the two people said. After that conversation, Axel Springer told Mr. Burgard to resign, the two people said.

Mr. Burgard did not respond to requests for comment; in a LinkedIn post he said he had decided to resign after a "serious physical incident" on a flight back from vacation that required treatment by a doctor in midair. A spokesman for Axel Springer declined to comment on personnel matters. Helge Fuhst of the German public broadcaster Ard will replace Mr. Burgard and will also oversee the German editions of Axel Springer’s U.S. titles, the company said, while questions about top editors’ conduct continue to follow the publisher.

Key Topics

Business, Jan Philipp Burgard, Axel Springer, Welt, Helge Fuhst, Ard