Dr Carl Hahn

Dr Carl Hahn is one of the most distinguished and respected industrialists and business motivational speakers in Europe, having been Chairman of both Continental AG (tyre manufacturers) and Volkswagen AG.

He studied business administration at the Universities of Cologne, Zurich, and economics at the University of Bristol. He received the "Certificat d'Etudes Politiques" from the University of Paris.

He received his Ph.D from the University of Bern. He began his career in 1953 at the OECD in Paris. Then in 1954 he began his career at Volkswagen as Head of Exports.

In 1959 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen of America Inc. He held this position until 1964, when he was appointed to the Main Board of Volkswagen AG. During this time the company revived its fortunes with the development of the Golf, creating a completely new sector in the car market, the hatchback. The Golf is one of the most successful cars ever built.

In March 1973 he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Continental AG in Hannover.

In 1982 he returned to Volkswagen AG as Chairman of the Board, a position he held until 1992. He remains as Special Advisor to the company. He continues to act as Chairman or Member of the Supervisory Board for a wide range of world class companies, including Thyssen, the German steel manufacturer, Gerling, Benetton, Paccar, the American truck manufacturer.

Carl Hahn has almost unmatched experience as keynote business speaker in change, manufacturing and competing in the global economy, having acted as Chairman for Volkswagen, one Germany's flagship companies, which remains Europe's leading car producer.