Business News

“We want more diversity in the company”. Axel Springer wants to significantly increase the proportion of women in leadership positions

Thursday 05. August 2010 - Axel Springer AG wants to achieve a more equitable balance between women and men in leadership positions. The media enterprise has set itself the goal of doubling the proportion of women on all levels of management from the current 16 percent on average throughout the company within the next five to eight years. Yearly progress will in future be announced in the respective Annual Report.

“When you set yourself ambitious strategic and economic objectives, you need the brightest minds in order to achieve them. In my view, more diversity in the company – and that also happens to mean significantly more women in leadership positions – is of enormous importance for the long-term competitiveness of Axel Springer AG and for our future as an attractive employer”, said Dr. Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer AG, at the announcement of the Interim Financial Report in Berlin.


There are three main reasons for according high priority to the pursuit of this objective. The reflection of the relevant markets within the company, the acquisition and retention of talent and an attractive corporate culture. In the second quarter, the “Chancen:gleich!” (equal opportunities) project was launched, which deliberately refrains from setting a predefined quota for individual departments. As part of the project a number of measures, from structured talent management, to succession planning right up to further activities to improve the work/family balance have already been developed.

For its achievements so far in promoting equality of opportunity, Axel Springer AG will this year be awarded the TOTAL E-Quality distinction funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.