Ilse Henne: New chairwoman of the supervisory board of Thyssenkrupp Steel

lse Henne, a senior executive at Thyssenkrupp AG, is set to become the new chairwoman of the supervisory board of Thyssenkrupp Steel, taking over from Sigmar Gabriel. According to various German media reports, this appointment follows the resignation of several supervisory board members, citing a loss of trust with the executive board. Henne, who leads the materials division, will assume her new role during a crucial time for the company, as it navigates challenges related to its green transformation efforts.

The alleged leadership change is paralleled by sharp criticism from IG Metall, Germany's influential trade union, which has raised concerns about governance and co-determination within Thyssenkrupp. IG Metall has called for more influence from both the federal and North Rhine-Westphalia state governments, given their significant financial investment in the company’s green initiatives. "The federal and state governments should claim the two vacant seats on the supervisory board to ensure balanced representation and a fair distribution of responsibilities," IG Metall stated in response to the recent resignations. The union also expressed concerns about the company’s shifting governance structure, referring to it as a "cultural break" in co-determination.

Henne's new position follows her increasing influence within the company, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainability and digital transformation. Her leadership will now be essential as Thyssenkrupp Steel seeks to improve its operational efficiency and respond to the expectations of various stakeholders, including employees and local governments.

Photo: Thyssenkrupp