How Do Siemens' Leadership Changes Shape Its Strategy?

Siemens has confirmed a new phase of its long-term succession planning, announcing leadership changes that affect both its finance function and its Smart Infrastructure business.

The decisions, taken by the Supervisory Board on 11 February, are positioned as part of a structured and orderly transition as the company advances its ONE Tech Company framework.

The ONE Tech Company programme, launched in late 2024, is designed to further integrate Siemens' business into a more unified and synergistic technology company. The framework focuses on accelerating the combination of the real and digital worlds to drive faster innovation and higher growth across its portfolio.

Veronika Bienert will become Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Siemens AG on 1 April, adding the role to her current responsibilities on the Managing Board.

She succeeds Prof. Dr. Ralf P. Thomas who will step down from the Managing Board on 13 May, at his own request according to the company.

Ralf will remain closely connected to the company as a Special Advisor to both the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board until December 2026. His position as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens Healthineers AG is unchanged.

Jim Hagemann Snabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, framed the changes as a deliberate step in the company's evolution: "With these decisions, the Supervisory Board is ensuring orderly and smooth succession planning for the Managing Board and setting the course for the next phase of our transformation into ONE Tech Company.

"I would like to congratulate Veronika Bienert and Peter Koerte on their new responsibilities, and I am convinced that they will continue to drive the company forward with their multifaceted experience, competence and leadership."

Finance leadership for the next phase

Veronika currently oversees the Service Portfolio of Siemens Financial Services, Siemens Real Estate and Global Business Services. Her move into the CFO role places an experienced internal executive in charge of the group's financial organisation at a time when Siemens is emphasising stability, performance and disciplined execution as part of its broader transformation.

Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, highlighted the importance of continuity in the transition. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ralf Thomas - for his extraordinary achievements and the extremely good and trusting cooperation. Siemens' impressive financial strength clearly bears his signature.

"In a few weeks' time, as planned, Veronika Bienert will take over full responsibility in her new role, bringing with her the experience of an outstanding financial expert and entrepreneur. I congratulate her and look forward to the work ahead."

In a LinkedIn post, Roland described the broader intent behind the appointments: "These strategic appointments and transitions reinforce our leadership team as we accelerate our journey towards becoming ONE tech company. It's an exciting time for #TeamSiemens!"

Technology and infrastructure combined

Alongside the finance transition, Dr. Peter Koerte will assume responsibility for Smart Infrastructure on the Managing Board from 1 July.

Peter, who currently serves as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, will take over from Matthias Rebellius, who will step down at the end of his term.

The change brings Smart Infrastructure under the direct oversight of the executive already responsible for technology and corporate strategy, reinforcing the link between portfolio direction, innovation and customer solutions within the ONE Tech Company model.

Roland said: "Congratulations to Peter Koerte on his new responsibility in the Managing Board for Smart Infrastructure, starting 1 July. Dear Peter, with your deep technological and strategic experience, and your strong customer understanding, you're ideally placed to drive the continued success of Smart Infrastructure and take it to the next level."

With the departures of Ralf and Matthias from the Managing Board, it will be reduced from seven to five members. The streamlined structure accompanies Siemens' continued focus on executing its ONE Tech Company strategy, combining financial resilience, technological depth and closer integration across its businesses as it enters the next phase of its transformation.