BMW AG has appointed Dorothea von Boxberg to its Board of Management as Labour Relations Director and Board Member responsible for Human Resources, effective September 1, 2026. Currently Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airlines, she succeeds Ilka Horstmeier, who is stepping down from her role overseeing People and Real Estate following an agreed succession plan. The appointment comes as BMW Group continues to adapt its organisation and workforce to meet evolving industry challenges.
An Executive with Transformation Expertise
Von Boxberg brings extensive leadership experience from the aviation industry, where she has led large-scale transformation initiatives across international markets. Before becoming CEO of Brussels Airlines, she held several senior leadership positions at Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Lufthansa Cargo AG, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Lufthansa Cargo. She also spent several years in management consulting after studying industrial engineering and business administration in Berlin and Paris.
Announcing the appointment, Dr. Nicolas Peter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG, said, “Dorothea von Boxberg not only brings extensive experience in implementing transformation processes, but also an outside-in perspective on our industry. At the same time, her technical background makes her an excellent fit for the BMW Group. In addition, Dorothea von Boxberg has the decisive leadership strength to drive forward the necessary structural transformation of the BMW Group in the coming years.”
Supporting BMW’s Next Phase of Transformation
BMW said von Boxberg will play a key role in shaping the company’s organisational structures and ways of working as it responds to new challenges facing the automotive industry. Her appointment reflects the company’s focus on strengthening leadership capabilities while driving long-term organisational transformation.
Dr. Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said, “The BMW Group faces new challenges that require consistent adjustment of our structures and ways of working. I am convinced that Dorothea von Boxberg will be an excellent addition to the Board of Management in addressing these tasks successfully.”
Honouring a Leadership Transition
The Supervisory Board also acknowledged the contributions of Ilka Horstmeier, who led BMW Group’s Human Resources function and played a significant role in strengthening the company’s reputation as one of Germany’s most attractive employers. BMW Group General Works Council Chairman Dr. Martin Kimmich welcomed von Boxberg’s appointment, describing her as an experienced leader with a strong track record in transformation who will help further develop the company’s structures and ways of working in line with BMW’s culture.
