The Partners – Encouraging Responsibility.
Profile
Michael Wedell
Founder and Managing Partner
Michael Wedell founded The Partners in 2022. Before that, he spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of business, politics, media and society – including roles at Vodafone, Dresdner Bank and METRO AG, where he was responsible for the group’s communications and public affairs. Most recently, he was a partner at the international advisory firm Brunswick.
These different perspectives continue to shape his work today. Michael Wedell advises companies, associations and senior executives in situations where interests collide, change needs to be explained and lasting relationships need to be built.
Michael Wedell studied Catholic theology and political science at Freie Universität Berlin and is a trained supervisor and systemic coach. His voluntary roles include serving as spokesperson for Business and Social Affairs at the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), as a board member of the TuWas – Stiftung für Gemeinsinn foundation, and in roles with the Caritas Gemeinschaftsstiftung Berlin and the Board of Trustees of the donum vitae Stiftung.
Energy
A new energy project meets local resistance. Political decisions change the regulatory environment. Or a company needs to explain what the energy transition means for prices, security of supply and jobs.
We help energy companies explain their plans clearly, take political and societal interests into account and build support for change.
Healthcare
A new medicine comes to market, but reimbursement becomes politically contested. A company wants to establish a new form of treatment. Or an organisation needs to explain why medical progress also requires change in the healthcare system.
We help companies and organisations communicate medical and economic issues clearly and bring their perspective into health policy debates.
Mobility
A city wants to introduce a new transport concept. A company launches a new propulsion technology. Or a mobility provider needs to explain why familiar habits should change.
We help companies and organisations show the tangible benefits of new mobility solutions, bring different interests together and help shape the public debate about the future of mobility.
Retail and Consumer Goods
Rising prices, changing consumer habits and new sustainability requirements confront companies with difficult decisions. Those decisions need to be explained to customers, employees, media and policymakers.
We help retail and consumer goods companies communicate their positions clearly, make sense of societal expectations and bring their interests into political debate.
Agriculture and Food
How can food remain affordable while becoming more sustainable? What do new environmental requirements mean for farmers? And how do you explain production conditions that many people have strong views on but little first-hand experience of?
We help companies and organisations in agriculture and food explain these trade-offs clearly, bring different interests together and contribute their perspective to public and political debate.
Digital and ICT
A data centre is planned, but local residents are concerned about electricity and water consumption. A company wants to introduce AI but first needs to build trust in the technology. Or political decisions on data protection and digital sovereignty change the conditions for investment.
We help technology companies explain complex projects clearly, assess political developments and engage with the people affected by new technologies.
Ein Netzwerk für
unterschiedliche Aufgaben.
The Partners arbeitet mit einem erfahrenen Kernteam und einem Netzwerk aus mehr als 40 Spezialistinnen und Spezialisten. Wer dazukommt, richtet sich nach der Aufgabe.
Dazu gehören Fachleute für Strategie und Public Affairs, C-Level-Kommunikation, Nachhaltigkeit, Marke und Change, Reden und Publikationen, Krisen und Reputation. Viele von ihnen arbeiten seit Jahren mit Michael Wedell und The Partners zusammen.
Das Netzwerk reicht über ganz Deutschland und bis nach New York. Entscheidend ist aber nicht seine Größe, sondern dass für eine konkrete Aufgabe schnell die richtigen Menschen zusammenkommen.
Nicht jede Aufgabe braucht dieselben Menschen. Deshalb stellen wir Teams je nach Aufgabe neu zusammen.