Dr Hans-Dietrich Reckhaus, born in Bielefeld in 1966, holds a doctorate in business administration and is managing partner of Reckhaus GmbH & Co KG. After studying at the University of St. Gallen, he joined the family business in 1992 and took over as Managing Director in 1995. Originally specialising in the manufacture of insecticides, Dr Reckhaus initiated a fundamental change in 2012. In collaboration with the artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, the "Saving flies in Deppendorf" campaign was created, which raised awareness of the value of insects. This led to the development of the INSECT RESPECT seal of approval, which stands for ecological compensation in insect control.
Under his leadership, the company transformed itself from a traditional biocide manufacturer into a pioneer for biodiversity and sustainable management. Dr Reckhaus initiated projects such as Insectemy, an academy to promote insect awareness, and organised events such as the "Day of Insects". He has received numerous awards for his commitment, including the Swiss Ethics Award 2015, the European Responsible Care Award 2018 and the European Green Award 2024. Dr Reckhaus is the author of several publications, including the book "Why every fly counts", in which he highlights the importance of insects for our ecosystem.
Photo: Jelena Gernert