How can performance be enhanced without losing sight of the people? This was the question addressed at the fourth Regensburg HR Forum on Friday, 23 October 2026. Around 100 participants from businesses and the university gathered at the marinaforum Regensburg to discuss corporate culture, leadership and current challenges in human resources management under the theme ‘People & Performance’.
“Amidst key performance indicators, AI and the pressure to optimise, people must not be relegated to the sidelines,” emphasised Prof. Dr Carina Braun, Vice-President of OTH Regensburg and one of the two initiators of the Regensburg HR Forum. “Anyone who wants to successfully shape change must consciously place the people within an organisation at the centre.”
The forum was organised by OTH Regensburg in cooperation with Netzwerk HRM Ostbayern e. V., and the event was supported by Krones AG, EGYM Wellpass GmbH, REWAG Regensburger Energie- und Wasserversorgung AG & Co KG and the Association of Friends of OTH Regensburg e. V.
“For me, the HR Forum has long been more than just a specialist conference,” says Prof. Dr Susanne Nonnast, Professor of Human Resource Management at OTH Regensburg and also one of the event’s organisers. “Every two years, the HR community of Eastern Bavaria gathers here. The format has become well-established, and you can really sense how much many people look forward to seeing each other again and to the open exchange across company and sector boundaries.”
Keynotes on corporate culture, purpose and role models
In his keynote address, ‘High Performance Culture’, Hubert Altschäffl, CHRO at MAN Truck & Bus SE, asked what conditions a corporate culture must create to enable people and organisations to perform at their best. “High performance is not an isolated goal, but the result of an overall system that empowers people. It’s about placing more trust in others and relinquishing control,” said Altschäffl.
Martin Dallmeier, Managing Director of dm-drogerie markt GmbH + Co. KG, focused on self-management in his presentation ‘Obsessed with plans and forgetting the bigger picture? What really matters’. “Collaboration within a culture of dialogue means, first and foremost, leading oneself. We must ask ourselves: Is this the kind of environment in which I myself would like to work? It’s about treating people with kindness, making decisions based on purpose, and seizing opportunities in day-to-day work as situations arise,” said Dallmeier.
Burlesque artist and performer Ruby Tuesday contributed an artistic perspective. In her performance ‘Showgirl Meets Male Impersonator: Performance Between Role Models’, she explored stage presence, impact and societal role expectations, thereby broadening the perspective on performance beyond the professional context. “To gain new inspiration, we must regularly seek solutions outside our own field of expertise and consciously broaden our horizons,” said Tuesday.
Eight alumni provide insights into HR practice
All eight keynote talks were delivered by former students of the Master’s programme in Human Resource Management at OTH Regensburg. They now work at Siemens Healthineers, Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Deutsche Bank, Logwin AG, Volkswagen Group Charging (Elli), Munich Re and Knorr-Bremse AG. The topics ranged from strategic employee benefits and international recruitment, through talent relationship management and remuneration, to global leadership development, HR technology and transformation. The speakers brought practical questions from their companies and shared their experiences with the participants.
Julia Peters, Executive Assistant to the CHRO at Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH (Elli), and Sebastian Wedel, Head of Total Rewards EMEA 2 at Siemens Healthineers, described just how much the topic of performance is preoccupying the sector: “Hardly any other issue is currently of greater concern to us in HR than the question of performance. How do we remain competitive and high-performing? Ultimately, it comes down to people and their individual drive to perform – because there is no single, universal truth in human resources management.”
Several presentations focused on remuneration. Gunnar Luebbe, Director of HR Performance & Reward at Deutsche Bank, emphasised: “A high-performance remuneration system must never be viewed in isolation. What is crucial is clear measurability and the long-term impact on the entire organisation.” David Stadtelmeyer, Head of Compensation Governance at Knorr-Bremse AG, added: “The topic of reward and modern remuneration systems is becoming increasingly important in today’s HR landscape.”
Technology and processes also played a role. “Technology creates new opportunities – but its real impact only comes about through the people who use it purposefully,” explained Nina Frey, Global Consultant HR Tech at Munich Re. Linda Bothe, Senior Consultant Talent Acquisition International at Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, emphasised: “Strong processes and clear structures form the foundation that ensures our HR work remains sustainable and fit for the future.”
Specialist programme and networking opportunities
The programme was spread across two stages. During the HR Speed Dating session, participants got to know one another in short discussion rounds. In the Career Talk, four HR experts spoke about their career paths, key decisions and experiences within the industry. At the poster exhibition organised by the Faculty of Business and Management, alumni presented their work and discussed the research topics and their significance for HR work with the guests.
For the speakers Katharina Geppert, Head of People Development at Logwin AG, and Miriam Lang, Talent Acquisition at Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, the value of the day lies in the exchange: “The day brings together a huge number of HR professionals in one place, which is incredibly enriching. This intensive exchange within the regional network of experts is an enormous asset to our day-to-day work.”
Hubert Altschäffl drew a positive conclusion: “As well as the students’ outstanding progress, the forum has once again demonstrated just how valuable fresh ideas and a strong regional network are.”
About the Regensburg HR Forum
The Regensburg HR Forum was established to mark the tenth anniversary of the Master’s programme in Human Resource Management at OTH Regensburg. Since then, it has brought together students, alumni, young professionals and HR specialists from Eastern Bavaria, fostering exchange between the university and the business world. The event is organised by OTH Regensburg in cooperation with Netzwerk HRM Ostbayern e. V. Further information: www.regensburger-personalforum.de
