Siemens Removes Hundreds of Executive Titles in Management Overhaul

German industrial group Siemens has eliminated hundreds of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer titles across its lower and middle management tiers as part of a group-wide restructuring strategy. The change, which took effect on October 1 under the "One Tech Company" program, removes executive acronyms from division units and regional subsidiaries without altering the operational duties or compensation of affected managers.

Under the updated organizational framework, executives overseeing individual business units or regional operations will adopt titles such as President, Head of, or Managing Director. Financial heads of larger divisions now carry titles including Executive Vice President Finance. Group Chief Executive Officer Roland Busch retains his position as President and CEO of Siemens AG at the helm of the company.

The restructuring alters executive designations across several major divisions. Cedrik Neike, who serves on the managing board, is now listed as President of Digital Industries, replacing his previous title of division CEO. Similarly, Peter Körte, who assumed responsibility for the Smart Infrastructure unit in July, holds the title of President, aligning with Michael Peter, who has held the title of President at Siemens Mobility for several years. Markus Grabmeier, who was appointed CEO of the Electrical Products unit within Smart Infrastructure in June, is among those transitioning to the revised naming structure.

Siemens Personnel Board Member Judith Wiese stated to Süddeutsche Zeitung that the accumulation of leadership titles over recent decades had become an artifact from another world. The company aimed to streamline an increasingly complex network of titles where multiple managerial layers simultaneously carried CEO designations.

According to company statements, the primary objective of the title reduction is to foster closer collaboration among previously segregated business divisions, shorten decision-making processes, and simplify internal corporate governance. The adjustment primarily impacts organizational charts and business cards, as the affected managers retain their existing responsibilities, operational authorities, and remuneration packages.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com