Volkswagen separates from its Human Resources head, Gunnar Kilian - Volkswagen is departing, with Gunnar Kilian stepping down from his position as the head of human resources.
Volkswagen AG has announced the departure of Gunnar Kilian, the Board of Management member responsible for Human Resources, with immediate effect. The decision was made by the Group Supervisory Board following differing views on how Volkswagen holding companies should be managed.
In a statement, Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch and Board of Management Chairman Oliver Blume expressed sincere gratitude for Kilian’s contributions. Kilian played a significant role in Volkswagen’s recent transformation efforts, ensuring the Human Resources division was future-ready and contributing to the strategic realignment of the commercial vehicle business.
In the interim, Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of the VW brand, will temporarily take over responsibilities for Human Resources on the Board of Management until a permanent successor is found. Schäfer's focus will be on driving the transformation and workforce management aligned with Volkswagen’s strategic goals.
Kilian had overseen ambitious workforce restructuring plans, including a voluntary agreement for about 20,000 employees to leave Volkswagen in Germany by 2030 as part of broader job cuts aimed at reducing production capacity and costs. This aligns with Volkswagen’s strategy to address uneven demand and rising competition, particularly from Chinese automakers.
The search for a permanent successor for the Human Resources department is already underway. The focus is on finding a personality who embodies transformation and renewal. Arne Meiswinkel is expected to handle the operational tasks in the personnel department.
Traditionally, the initiative for proposals to fill this key position lies with the employee side. The works council has evaluated the interim solution as stable and emphasized that co-determination will continue to play a major role. Daniela Cavallo, the chairwoman of the group works council, expressed confidence that the interim solution with Schäfer and Meiswinkel will be viable and that daily work will be well continued.
Gunnar Kilian, who joined Volkswagen in 2000 and held various positions within the group, expressed gratitude for over 20 years with the company in a statement on LinkedIn. Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony's Minister President, expressed his regret over the end of Kilian’s tenure and praised him as a "wise and highly respected strategist."
As Volkswagen continues its transformation journey, the search for a new labor director to continue driving the company's strategic goals is underway. Kilian, one of the youngest DAX managers and well-networked within the group, will be missed but his legacy will continue to shape Volkswagen's future.
- EC countries could potentially help Volkswagen in its search for a new labor director, as Kilian's networking within the group spanned across various industries, including business and the automotive sector.
- In the realm of vocational training, it would be beneficial for the new labor director to consider partnerships with educational institutions, especially in EC countries, to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills for the transformation of the company, particularly in the finance, transportation, and sports industries.
- As Volkswagen continues to streamline its employment policy, with ambitious workforce restructuring plans in place, the new labor director may find it advantageous to invest in vocational training programs to help retain skilled workers and attract new talent, potentially reducing the need for costly layoffs.
