On 30 September 2025, the transfer of assets from the former legal entity of the Observatory, CTAO gGmbH — a non-profit limited liability company under German law — to its current European Research Infrastructure Consortium, CTAO ERIC, was formally concluded at a signing event in Munich, Germany, in the presence of a notary. On behalf of the CTAO ERIC, Director General Stuart McMuldroch signed the Asset Transfer Agreement, while Federico Ferrini signed on behalf of the CTAO gGmbH. This agreement initiates the dissolution process of the CTAO gGmbH.  

The establishment of the CTAO ERIC, a European legal entity established under EU law, took place in January 2025, following the European Commission Implementing Decision. To complete the transition, all assets of the CTAO gGmbH, including equipment, intellectual property, supplier contracts, and employment contracts, were transferred to the CTAO ERIC.  

The Asset Transfer Agreement, which formalises the transfer of ownership, was prepared in advance and approved by both the CTAO gGmbH Council and the CTAO ERIC Council, clearing the way for final signature.  

With the agreement signed, the CTAO gGmbH has entered the liquidation phase, as stipulated by German law. In this period, the company does not carry out new activities but continues to exist in order to settle outstanding matters before it is formally dissolved.  

Ferrini, who was appointed Managing Director of the Observatory in 2018 and served as Co-Managing Director alongside McMuldroch since 2023 to support the transition, has been appointed as liquidator. In this capacity, he will oversee the activities required to complete the dissolution of the CTAO gGmbH.