VERBUND AG, Austria's leading energy company, has appointed Stefan Waldner as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Management Board, effective immediately. The Supervisory Board announced the decision on October 7, 2026, following the departure of Peter Kollmann on August 31, 2026. Waldner's appointment is for a two-year term, with an option to extend for an additional two years.
Waldner, 49, brings more than two decades of experience in the international energy industry, with deep expertise in financing, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. He currently serves as Senior Vice President in OMV's finance function, a role he has held since joining the company in 2005. His prior positions include CFO of OMV Petrol Ofisi in Turkiye and CFO and Executive Board member of OMV Petrom in Romania. He began his career at Merrill Lynch International in London.
“Stefan Waldner combines capital markets expertise with operational CFO experience in the energy industry. He is well placed to support VERBUND’s strategy and maintain its financial strength,” said Martin Ohneberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VERBUND AG.
Edith Hlawati, CEO of OBAG and member of the Nomination Committee, added: “We are delighted to have found a candidate who is a 100% match for the advertised profile. I am even more pleased that we were able to fill this important key position from within OBAG’s portfolio companies.”
Waldner expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I look forward to working with my fellow Management Board members and our employees to implement VERBUND’s strategy, with a focus on sound financing and disciplined capital allocation.”
Until Waldner assumes his duties, CEO Michael Strugl will continue to oversee the finance portfolio. The Supervisory Board thanked him for taking on this additional responsibility during the transition period.
The appointment of a CFO with such extensive experience in energy finance and capital markets signals VERBUND's commitment to maintaining its financial strength and strategic direction. As the energy sector faces increasing complexity and investment demands, Waldner's background in M&A and financing will be crucial for VERBUND's growth and stability. The move also highlights the company's ability to develop talent from within its own portfolio, as noted by Hlawati.
For investors and industry observers, this leadership change is significant. VERBUND is a major player in Europe's energy market, and its financial strategy will impact not only its shareholders but also the broader energy transition. Waldner's experience at OMV, a leading integrated energy company, suggests he will bring a disciplined approach to capital allocation and financing, which could affect VERBUND's investment decisions and partnerships.
The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com, as reported by NEWMEDIAWIRE.
