AUMOVIO Chief Financial Officer Dr. Jutta A. Dönges will leave the company by mutual agreement effective October 31, 2026, after one year in the role, and Supervisory Board member Claus Bauer will serve as interim Head of Finance starting no later than November 1, 2026. Under the leadership plan AUMOVIO announced this week, CEO Philipp von Hirschheydt will also take on responsibility for the finance function at Executive Board level until a permanent CFO is appointed. The company says Dönges is leaving to pursue new professional opportunities.
Highlights
- Executive Board exit: Dönges stepped down from the Executive Board effective October 7, 2026, and leaves the company effective October 31, 2026.
- Interim finance lead: Claus Bauer, a former Schaeffler Group CFO, takes over as interim Head of Finance no later than November 1, 2026.
- Board-level oversight: Von Hirschheydt assumes finance responsibility at Executive Board level in addition to his role as CEO.
- Successor search: The Supervisory Board has already initiated the process to appoint a permanent CFO.
Who Is Leading AUMOVIO’s Finance Function?
Until a permanent successor is named, finance responsibility splits between two executives. Von Hirschheydt holds the function at Executive Board level, while Bauer leads the finance organization day to day and works closely with the CEO.
Bauer will step down from his seat on the Supervisory Board’s Audit Committee for the duration of the interim assignment.
Supervisory Board and CEO Comment
Stefan E. Buchner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AUMOVIO SE, credited Dönges with developing the finance organization after the company’s separation.
“Jutta Dönges has made a significant contribution to AUMOVIO during a defining phase following its transition to an independent company. Through her deep financial expertise, clear leadership and exceptional commitment, she has further developed the finance organization, provided important impulses for financial management and governance, and helped position AUMOVIO as a strong and future-ready publicly listed company. On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for her contribution,” said Buchner.
Von Hirschheydt said the company is well positioned financially and organizationally following her tenure.
“Jutta Dönges has made a lasting contribution to AUMOVIO in a short period of time. With her extensive financial and capital markets expertise and strong execution focus, she and her team have laid important foundations on which we can continue to build. Today, AUMOVIO is well positioned, both financially and organizationally. I would like to personally thank Jutta Dönges for our constructive collaboration and wish her all the best for the future,” said von Hirschheydt.
Dönges described her year at the company as part of the phase following the AUMOVIO spin-off from Continental’s former Automotive division.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to AUMOVIO’s development as a capital market-focused company during the important phase following the spin-off. I would like to thank the Supervisory Board of AUMOVIO SE for its trust and the entire AUMOVIO team for the excellent collaboration over the past year. I wish the company and its employees all the best for the future,” said Dönges.
Claus Bauer’s Background
Bauer has served on AUMOVIO’s Supervisory Board since September 2025. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the automotive industry and served as CFO of the Schaeffler Group from 2021 to 2025, after holding several senior finance positions within that company. He holds a degree in business administration and began his career in auditing and tax advisory services.
“We are very grateful to Claus Bauer for assuming this responsibility at short notice. With his extensive leadership experience, capital markets expertise and deep industry knowledge, he will, together with Philipp von Hirschheydt, ensure continuity and stability in the finance organization until a permanent successor has been appointed,” added Buchner.
