Executives: What these five new Dax CEOs have in common

Five new Dax CEOs started in the first half of 2026. An analysis of their CVs shows: In addition to international experience and strategic foresight, three of them hold an MBA. Discover which career patterns lead to the top of a corporation.

In the first half of 2026, a remarkable change took place at the top of five major companies in Germany's leading stock index, the Dax. Five new CEOs took up their posts, and their appointments allow for a deeper look at their career patterns. An analysis of their CVs reveals surprising commonalities and provides valuable insights for aspiring executives who are ambitious to reach the top of large corporations themselves. It shows that, in addition to technical expertise, a combination of international experience, sound management training, and proof of strategic foresight was crucial for their advancement.

The profiles of the newly appointed CEOs paint a clear picture: all five top managers have a distinct international career. They have spent significant time abroad, whether through international projects, managing foreign subsidiaries, or through study visits. This global perspective is increasingly seen as an indispensable skill for leading multinational corporations, as it fosters a deep understanding of different markets, cultures, and geopolitical dynamics. Equally striking is the focus on in-depth management education. Three of the five new CEOs have completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA), while the other two have comparable postgraduate degrees in economics or many years of cross-industry leadership experience, which can often be regarded as an equivalent to such a degree.

Academic course-setting for the top

The choice for additional management training, such as that offered by an MBA program, therefore seems to be no coincidence. Graduates often emphasize that these programs not only convey technical depth in areas such as strategy development, financial management, and leadership, but also sharpen crucial soft skills such as intercultural communication, negotiation skills, and crisis management. Especially for those who have already gained several years of professional experience, an MBA offers the opportunity to systematically expand one's own knowledge and prepare for higher management levels. The broad networking with fellow students and lecturers from different industries and countries often proves to be an additional catalyst for career development.

For those interested in an MBA who aspire to a similar career development, clear recommendations can be derived from the present cases. A sound basic education should ideally be supplemented by international experience. The decision for an MBA or a comparable Master's degree program can set the course for taking on top management positions. In this regard, it is not only the reputation of the university that is decisive, but also the program's focus on current challenges of the globalized economy, the possibility for specialization, and the quality of the network that can be built up during the studies.