Michael Diekmann (born December 23, 1954) is a German manager who was the CEO of Allianz from 2003 to 2015.Dauer, Ulrike. "Allianz CEO Michael Diekmann to Step Down", The Wall Street Journal, 2 October 2015. Accessed 10 December 2015.
Early life and education Diekmann knew early that the family construction business would go to his twin brother, who was more interested in engineering.James Wilson (September 7, 2008), Chief with a taste for adventure Financial Times. Instead, he earned his degree from Goettingen University, where he studied law and philosophy.Education
Career Diekmann began his career with Allianz in 1988 after becoming frustrated with his own business, a publishing house that focused on travel guides.Wilson, James. "Chief with a taste for adventure", Financial Times, 7 September 2008. Accessed 10 December 2015. During his career, he later worked in Australia and the United States, where he successfully revamped the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, the Allianz subsidiary there.Carter Doughherty (July 20, 2006), A European Allianz becomes less German International Herald Tribune. In 1996, he moved to Singapore to run Allianz's Asia-Pacific business front.European CEO
As CEO, Diekmann steered Allianz through a difficult period at the start of the century, moving it from a low point in profitability to a bumper year in 2013 with an operating profit of €10.1 billion.Alice Ross (October 2, 2014), Michael Diekmann to step down as Allianz chief Financial Times. Under his leadership, the insurer also converted its legal form, then Aktiengesellschaft, or German joint-stock company, to Societas Europaea (SE) in 2006.Carter Doughherty (July 20, 2006), A European Allianz becomes less German International Herald Tribune. By 2014, Allianz had grown to become the world’s second-biggest investor after BlackRock.Jonathan Gould (August 1, 2014), Allianz to stick with old guard as CEO contract ends Reuters. That same year, Diekmann weathered a hailstorm of criticism about the sagging performance at the firm’s asset manager, Pimco.Jonathan Gould (August 1, 2014), Allianz to stick with old guard as CEO contract ends Reuters.
Diekmann's total compensation from 2010 was around one hundred and five million Euros.Forbes
In late 2014, it was announced that Diekmann, would step down the following year after he turned 60, which is traditionally the age limit for board members at Allianz.Alice Ross (October 2, 2014), Michael Diekmann to step down as Allianz chief Financial Times. At the time, investors widely expected him to stay in his role for a further one to two years.Jonathan Gould (October 2, 2014), Allianz CEO Diekmann to step aside for Baete in May Reuters.
Other activities Corporate boards FC Bayern Munich, member of the Supervisory Board (since 2025)Michael Diekmann für Dr. Werner Zedelius in FC-Bayern-Aufsichtsrat FC Bayern Munich, press release of 1 December 2025. Google Cloud Platform, member of the European Advisory Board (since 2022)Google Cloud establishes European Advisory Board Google Cloud Platform, press release of 21 May 2022. Temasek Holdings, member of the European Advisory Panel (since 2016)Temasek establishes European Advisory Panel Temasek Holdings, press release of 20 January 2016. Linklaters, member of the International Advisory Group (since 2016)Lutz Reiche (April 4, 2016), Ex-Allianz-Chef Diekmann heuert bei Linklaters an Manager Magazin. Fresenius, deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board (since 2015)Supervisory Board Fresenius. Siemens, member of the Supervisory Board (2008–2023)Dinah Deckstein (November 29, 2007), Generationswechsel: Neue Garde soll Siemens kontrollieren Der Spiegel.Siemens invites shareholders to 2023 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting and proposes three new Supervisory Board members Siemens, press release of 12 December 2022. BASF, member of the Supervisory Board (2003–2019)Supervisory Board of BASF nominates its candidates for new election in May 2019 BASF, press release of December 13, 2018. Linde, deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board (2003–2017)Axel Höpner (March 9, 2017), Airbus-Chef: Enders rückt in den Linde-Aufsichtsrat Handelsblatt. Lufthansa, member of the Supervisory Board (2003–2008)Arne Stuhr (June 17, 2003), Lufthansa: Der spät Berufene Manager Magazin.2008 Annual Report: Supervisory Board Lufthansa
Non-profit organizations Allianz Umweltstiftung, deputy chairman of the Board of Trustees (-2015)Wechsel im Kuratorium der Allianz Umweltstiftung Allianz Umweltstiftung, press release of May 29, 2015. European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), chairman of the Board of Trustees (2007-2015)Dr. Dieter Zetsche succeeding Michael Diekmann as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ESMT Foundation European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), press release of April 28, 2015. Siemens Stiftung, member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Siemens Stiftung. International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC), member Monetary Authority of Singapore, member of the Advisory Board Munich Security Conference, member of the Advisory Council (2008-2015)Advisory Council Munich Security Conference. Pan-European Insurance Forum (PEIF), member (2003-2015) Geneva Association, vice chairman (2003-2015)
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