Vincent Charles takes a seat on our Corporate Advisory Board

We are happy to announce that Vincent Charles, Head of Group Communications at Continental, is now a member of our Corporate Advisory Board.

Vincent holds a degree in communications and media studies. He joined Continental at the end of 2007 and held various positions in marketing and strategy within the former Automotive Group Sector. In 2011, he transitioned to Group Communications in Hanover, where he served as spokesperson for both technology and finance topics. Since September 2016, Charles has led Media Relations for the tire company. In May 2025, he was then appointed Head of Group Communications. Vincent Charles is of German and French descent. He is married and has two children.

Talking business & getting personal

In a short conversation, Vincent shared insights about why he enjoys his job so much, which major transformation Continental currently undergoes, and what he personally values.

Why did you choose this job? What do you think is special about Continental? 

Having full communications responsibility for a publicly listed, technology-driven company in today’s stakeholder economy is both meaningful and highly challenging.

Just as our engineers shape the profile of our outstanding tires, my team and I shape Continental’s profile through professional and strategic communication management.

What is the most significant communication challenge Continental is currently facing?

Continental is undergoing the most profound realignment in its more than 150-year history. Having evolved from a conglomerate with diverse businesses, we are now creating three independent champions. Our automotive business has already been spun off as an independent, publicly listed company. In the next step, we will sell our industrial business. At the end of this transformation, Continental will, for the first time in its history, be a pure-play tire manufacturer.

Shaping and crafting communications throughout this process — while managing diverse and sometimes conflicting stakeholder expectations — requires integrated stakeholder management at a high level of complexity, and with unprecedented speed and dynamics.

This is the major communications challenge Continental will face in the coming months.

What is one thing that can instantly make your day better?

Linguistic wit.

If you could relive one moment of your life, which would it be? 

The birth of my children.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Never assume.

Thank you, Vincent Charles. We are pleased to welcome you to the Academic Society and look forward to collaborating with you!

You can find all the partner companies on the Corporate Advisory Board here.