As of 1 October 2026, ProTecBird has restructured its executive leadership. Uwe Lindenau takes over operational leadership of the Husum-based AI technology company as Managing Director. Thorsten Heinzen, who has played a key role in building and developing ProTecBird as Managing Director since its foundation, will remain with the company as Managing Director. Until the end of December 2026, he will focus on selected strategic priority projects, support Uwe Lindenau during the handover and provide guidance on broader management matters.
This division of responsibilities enables a smooth leadership transition while ensuring continuity in expertise, knowledge and key customer and project relationships.
Uwe Lindenau previously spent many years at Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH in Bremen, working in various roles and areas of responsibility. The close collaboration between Rheinmetall and ProTecBird also developed during this time. Uwe Lindenau has known ProTecBird since its early system tests, in which Rheinmetall’s tracking software was used as a key component of what is now the AVES system solution for wind farms.
“I look forward to leading ProTecBird’s operations at such an exciting stage. In a short period of time, the company has established a leading position with technological solutions that support the environmentally responsible expansion of wind energy. Together with the team, I want to build on this foundation. Having Thorsten Heinzen continue to support the transition as Managing Director, take responsibility for selected priority projects and share his extensive experience is a major advantage. My goal is to continue consistently along our chosen path and further expand the market presence of ProTecBird’s technology, both nationally and internationally,” says Uwe Lindenau.
Uwe Lindenau and Thorsten Heinzen (left to right) in the ProTecBird production facility
Thorsten Heinzen and Uwe Lindenau have known each other for many years and have jointly advanced initiatives including the partnership between ProTecBird and Rheinmetall. The new leadership structure therefore builds on a longstanding professional and personal working relationship.
“Uwe and I have known each other for many years and have already worked together successfully in various capacities. I therefore know very well what he brings to the role, both professionally and personally. ProTecBird has always been, and remains, a project close to my heart. After the intensive years of building and growing the company, now is the right time to hand over overall operational responsibility to Uwe. I am very pleased that we can shape this transition together. Until the end of the year, I will focus on selected priority projects as Managing Director and support Uwe wherever my experience and network can be helpful. At the same time, the new division of responsibilities allows me to gradually step back from day-to-day operations,” says Thorsten Heinzen.
With this new division of responsibilities, ProTecBird combines clear operational accountability with continuity in its executive leadership. Uwe Lindenau assumes overall operational leadership and responsibility for the company’s further development, while Thorsten Heinzen will remain Managing Director until the end of December 2026, focusing in particular on selected priority projects and supporting a structured transfer of knowledge.
This lays the foundations for a smooth transition while setting the course for the company’s next phase of growth.
As of 1 October 2026, ProTecBird has restructured its executive leadership. Uwe Lindenau takes over operational leadership of the Husum-based AI technology company as Managing Director. Thorsten Heinzen, who has played a key role in building and developing ProTecBird as Managing Director since its foundation, will remain with the company as Managing Director. Until the end of December 2026, he will focus on selected strategic priority projects, support Uwe Lindenau during the handover and provide guidance on broader management matters.
This division of responsibilities enables a smooth leadership transition while ensuring continuity in expertise, knowledge and key customer and project relationships.
Uwe Lindenau previously spent many years at Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH in Bremen, working in various roles and areas of responsibility. The close collaboration between Rheinmetall and ProTecBird also developed during this time. Uwe Lindenau has known ProTecBird since its early system tests, in which Rheinmetall’s tracking software was used as a key component of what is now the AVES system solution for wind farms.
“I look forward to leading ProTecBird’s operations at such an exciting stage. In a short period of time, the company has established a leading position with technological solutions that support the environmentally responsible expansion of wind energy. Together with the team, I want to build on this foundation. Having Thorsten Heinzen continue to support the transition as Managing Director, take responsibility for selected priority projects and share his extensive experience is a major advantage. My goal is to continue consistently along our chosen path and further expand the market presence of ProTecBird’s technology, both nationally and internationally,” says Uwe Lindenau. Uwe Lindenau and Thorsten Heinzen (left to right) in the ProTecBird production facility
Thorsten Heinzen and Uwe Lindenau have known each other for many years and have jointly advanced initiatives including the partnership between ProTecBird and Rheinmetall. The new leadership structure therefore builds on a longstanding professional and personal working relationship.
“Uwe and I have known each other for many years and have already worked together successfully in various capacities. I therefore know very well what he brings to the role, both professionally and personally. ProTecBird has always been, and remains, a project close to my heart. After the intensive years of building and growing the company, now is the right time to hand over overall operational responsibility to Uwe. I am very pleased that we can shape this transition together. Until the end of the year, I will focus on selected priority projects as Managing Director and support Uwe wherever my experience and network can be helpful. At the same time, the new division of responsibilities allows me to gradually step back from day-to-day operations,” says Thorsten Heinzen.
With this new division of responsibilities, ProTecBird combines clear operational accountability with continuity in its executive leadership. Uwe Lindenau assumes overall operational leadership and responsibility for the company’s further development, while Thorsten Heinzen will remain Managing Director until the end of December 2026, focusing in particular on selected priority projects and supporting a structured transfer of knowledge.
This lays the foundations for a smooth transition while setting the course for the company’s next phase of growth.