Award for strategic transformation: Inga Dransfeld-Haase named ‘CHRO of the Year 2026’

Inga Dransfeld-Haase, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labour Director at TÜV NORD AG, has been named ‘CHRO of the Year 2026’. This prestigious industry award is presented annually by the specialist publication *Personalmagazin* (Haufe Group) in collaboration with Marsh. Following a combination of a jury shortlist and a public vote, the executive emerged victorious from a field of high-calibre candidates from major German corporations.

The award recognises, in particular, the strategic reorientation of human resources within the TÜV NORD GROUP towards becoming a globally integrated employer, as well as the close integration of HR strategy, corporate governance and technological transformation. The laudatory speech at the awards ceremony was delivered by last year’s winner, Markus Fink, CHRO of Infineon.

A key role in competitiveness in the AI era

In her acceptance speech, Inga Dransfeld-Haase emphasised the business-critical importance of a modern HR strategy for the future viability of the business location: “We are experiencing profound upheavals driven by artificial intelligence, demographic change and shifting global markets. Now more than ever, a strong, strategic HR function is needed to actively shape transformation, performance and culture. Our task as a company is to specifically empower our workforce for the AI era, to build new skills and to combine technological productivity with humanity. If we fail to take this step, we jeopardise not only our corporate competitiveness but also our social prosperity.”

From an international group to a ‘Truly Global Employer’

Since taking up her post on the Executive Board of TÜV NORD AG just over a year ago, the lawyer has been consistently driving forward the international networking of the company’s nearly 16,000 employees across more than 100 countries. A key focus here is on aligning global standards with the specific requirements of local markets, as well as on the data-driven modernisation of HR processes.

“As an internationally growing knowledge and testing organisation, our business model depends directly on the expertise and trust of our staff. For me, modern HR work means orchestrating the diverse needs of our regions worldwide and creating a genuine sense of belonging across all national borders,” said Dransfeld-Haase. She expressly dedicated the award to the employees of the TÜV NORD GROUP.

Companies as anchors for social cohesion

In addition to economic transformation, the award winner – who, prior to joining the TÜV NORD GROUP, spent six years as President of the Federal Association of Human Resources Managers (BPM), shaping the dialogue between business and politics – also emphasised the social responsibility of employers: “Our responsibility does not end at the company gates. Particularly in times of increasing social polarisation, companies must remain places where people with a wide variety of perspectives work together respectfully. By providing guidance in our day-to-day working lives and taking a clear stand for diversity, equal opportunities and liberal-democratic values, we make an active contribution to social cohesion.”

About Inga Dransfeld-Haase

Inga Dransfeld-Haase is a member of the Executive Board (CHRO, Labour Director and Chief Compliance Officer) at TÜV NORD AG. Before joining the TÜV NORD GROUP, this fully qualified lawyer held senior international HR and transformation roles at Nordzucker AG and the energy group BP. From 2019 to 2025, she served as President of the Federal Association of HR Managers (BPM).