Continental Appoints Karin Dohm as Future Automotive CFO Amid Independence Plans

Continental has announced the appointment of Karin Dohm as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its Automotive group sector, effective April 1, 2025. This move represents a key step in the company’s strategy to establish its Automotive division as an independent entity. Dohm, currently the CFO of the Hornbach Group, brings extensive experience in finance, compliance, and capital markets to the role.

Continental's Executive Board member for Automotive, Philipp von Hirschheydt, emphasised the significance of this appointment, stating:
“By appointing Karin Dohm, we have reached another crucial milestone on our path towards independence. As an experienced chief financial officer, she has earned an excellent reputation among both investors and analysts.”

Dohm will oversee Accounting, Controlling, Treasury, Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investor Relations, IT, and other financial functions for the new independent business. The final Executive Board for the Automotive division will be confirmed following the approval of the planned spin-off at Continental’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on 25 April 2025.

In her statement, Dohm expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity:
“Taking such a strong technology company to the stock exchange as CFO is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – and one that I am eager to tackle head-on.”

Building on Strong Foundations

The appointment follows significant progress under the current CFO of the Automotive division, Claudia Holtkemper, who will transition to a new role within Continental in May 2025. During her tenure, Holtkemper played a critical role in improving profitability and preparing the division for a potential listing on the stock exchange. Von Hirschheydt praised her contributions, noting:
“She significantly contributed to the improvement of Automotive’s profitability and readiness for the stock exchange.”

Experienced Leadership

With over two decades of leadership experience in finance, Dohm has served in global management roles at Deutsche Bank and held a partnership position at Deloitte before joining Hornbach Group. She holds qualifications as an auditor and tax consultant, along with a degree in economics.

The Automotive group sector currently employs 96,000 people and reported sales of €20.3 billion in 2023. It has built a robust market presence in innovative technologies, including sensors, displays, and autonomous vehicle systems. The planned spin-off aims to capitalise on these strengths, ensuring long-term growth and investor value.

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