Update, June 1, 2026: The statutory quota for women apparently also plays an important role in the search for a successor for former HR Director Gunnar Kilian. According to media reports, company circles indicate that the Porsche and Piëch ownership families are pushing for a woman to fill the position.
There is currently only one woman on the Volkswagen board: IT board member Hauke Stars. Observers internally expect that she could leave the group in the medium term. If Volkswagen were to put a man on the HR board again, the company could get into difficulties with the statutory gender quota.
Original article, February 16, 2026: Volkswagen is facing an unusually complicated personnel situation. Since Gunnar Kilian left in July last year, the position of HR director has been vacant and there is no successor in sight. The company emphasizes that it is looking for the best solution “without hassle,” but behind the scenes it becomes clear how challenging this appointment actually is.
Kilian’s term of office was characterized by years of crisis
Kilian has held the position of Human Resources Director since 2018. The trained journalist was at VW for more than 20 years, initially as a press and public relations officer, later, among other things, as managing director of the group works council. During his time as Human Resources Director, he accompanied the group through turbulent years: the corona pandemic, the semiconductor and energy crisis, restructuring at the subsidiary MAN Truck & Bus and the “Future VW” restructuring program. The restructuring program includes, among other things, the reduction of around 35,000 jobs by 2030. “All of this could have filled several professional lives,” Kilian himself wrote on Linkedin.
