René Hagemann studied history and political science in Düsseldorf. After completing his studies, he worked from 2000 to 2005 as a consultant in the Strategy and Campaigns department at the FDP federal office. He then moved to the Federation of German Industries, initially as a press officer and later as a consultant in the office of the BDI's SME representative. From 2010 to 2018, he was responsible for policy and coordination at the Federation of the German Construction Industry. Since mid-2018, he has headed the Technology, Construction Sectors and Sustainability division at the HDB. He has been Deputy Managing Director since February 2021.