HR Personnel Changes October 2026: Stada, Schindler, Zeiss

Important HR personnel changes in October 2026: Ingolf Thom becomes Corporate HR Head at Zeiss, André Becker starts as CHR at Schindler, and Marcus Vunic expands his responsibilities at Stada.

In October 2026, several significant personnel changes are pending in the HR landscape at major companies. Ingolf Thom will take up his position as Corporate HR Head of the Zeiss Group, while André Becker begins as the new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Schindler. In parallel, Marcus Vunic is taking on expanded areas of responsibility at Stada. These changes reflect the dynamic demands on modern HR departments, particularly in globally active corporations where strategic talent management and leadership development are of central importance. Such positions are often filled with candidates who possess a distinct strategic mindset and international experience, frequently complemented by advanced qualifications such as an MBA.

The Zeiss Group, an internationally leading technology company in the fields of optics and optoelectronics, is strengthening its Corporate HR leadership with Ingolf Thom. This new appointment underscores the relevance of HR strategy for innovation and growth in a high-tech environment. The tasks typically include not only classic personnel administration but also the development of global HR strategies, talent acquisition, employer branding, and the promotion of a corporate culture that equally considers technological progress and employee retention. Such a role requires comprehensive expertise in organizational development and change management, which is often a component of MBA programs specializing in Human Resources or General Management.

At the same time, Schindler, a global provider of elevators and escalators, welcomes André Becker as the new Chief Human Resources Officer. The role of CHRO at a global player like Schindler is of crucial importance for ensuring employee satisfaction, developing global competencies, and adapting the HR strategy to international market conditions. The focus here is often on the implementation of modern HR technologies, the design of further education programs, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion. For specialists and executives aspiring to such a position, an MBA offers the opportunity to combine the necessary business knowledge with specific HR skills, thereby developing a holistic perspective on corporate management.

Parallel to these changes, Marcus Vunic is expanding his responsibilities at Stada, a globally active pharmaceutical manufacturer. Such internal expansions of task areas are often a sign of successful performance and the company's willingness to grant more responsibility to proven executives. They offer the chance to shape strategic HR processes on a broader basis and to utilize synergies within the company. The ongoing globalization and digitalization of the working world make it essential for companies to have highly qualified HR executives who combine both operational excellence and strategic foresight. For aspiring executives in the HR sector, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to develop not only subject-specific knowledge but also a sound understanding of business contexts and international markets, as taught, for example, in an Executive MBA.