Axel Springer commits to greater diversity in leadership positions

Axel Springer has committed to a Group-wide target of 40% women in top management positions by 2026. The decision was announced by the Axel Springer Executive Board earlier this week, and raises the company’s commitment from the current target of 30%. With the move, the company says it wants to send a clear message and is also working on measures to improve the visibility and representation of non-binary people.

Sandra Subel, Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion, said: “The agreed targets for greater diversity in management sharpen our focus and allow us to heighten our efforts to implement the needed measures. We’re well aware that there are varying levels of gender diversity within the group and that gender is just one dimension of diversity. In view of this, together with our units we have also launched a comprehensive strategic project with the overarching goal of fostering diversity and a sense of belonging and identification with Axel Springer among employees even more than is already the case.”

Different units of Axel Springer have committed to setting their own targets for greater gender diversity, of between 30% and 50%. Its Global People & Culture and Global Diversity & Inclusion teams will support the two processes on a Group-wide basis and assist the units in reaching their targets. 

The announcement of the push for greater gender balance in leadership positions came in the context of the media and technology company’s first internal ‘Global Diversity Week’, which taking place this week focuses on the Group and its employees’ efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. The program for the partly digital event includes presentations, workshops, and discussion panels.

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