Managers: More women on the boards of DAX companies

Women are conquering more and more top positions in the German economy. According to an analysis by the personnel consultancy Russell Reynolds, their share on the boards of DAX companies rose from 23 percent to over 25 percent last year. For the first time, three DAX companies will be led by a female CEO: Commerzbank by Bettina Orlopp, Daimler Truck by Karin Rådström and Merck by Bélen Garijo.

Since 2020, the proportion of women in top management of the largest German stock corporations has increased from 13 to 25 percent. Eleven women were appointed to the board of a DAX company last year. However, women continue to leave significantly earlier than men: five female board members left their positions last year, all after a maximum of three years in office. None have a new executive position. On average, men stay on the board significantly longer and are 58 years old at the time of leaving, while women are only 53 years old.

At Commerzbank and Siemens Healthineers, the proportion of women on the board is 50 percent, and in another ten companies it is over 33 percent. Porsche SE is the only company without a woman on the board.

Overall, significantly fewer changes

Another finding from the personnel consultants: three car manufacturers and an aircraft manufacturer have their own boards of directors for the China business, namely Volkswagen, Mercedes, Daimler Truck and Airbus.

Regardless of gender, there were fewer changes in the boardroom in 2024. “The economy doesn’t take football as a role model,” says human resources consultant Jens-Thomas Pietralla. Despite the economic crisis in Germany, only 23 DAX board members resigned, compared to 40 the year before.