VERBUND AG has appointed Stefan Waldner as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Management Board, effective immediately, as announced by the Supervisory Board. Waldner, 49, brings over two decades of international energy industry experience, with a strong background in financing, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.
Waldner joins VERBUND from OMV, where he currently serves as Senior Vice President in the finance function. His prior roles include CFO of OMV Petrol Ofisi in Turkey and CFO and Executive Board member of OMV Petrom in Romania. He began his career at Merrill Lynch International in London before joining OMV in 2005. His appointment is for a two-year term, with an option to extend for an additional two years.
“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 succeeds Peter Kollmann, who stepped down on August 31, 2026. Until Waldner assumes his role, CEO Michael Strugl will continue to oversee the finance portfolio. The Supervisory Board expressed its gratitude to Strugl for taking on this additional responsibility.
“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,” said Stefan Waldner.
The appointment is significant for VERBUND, Austria’s leading utility and a major player in renewable energy, as it seeks to maintain financial stability amid evolving energy markets. Waldner’s deep expertise in capital markets and operational finance is expected to bolster VERBUND’s strategic initiatives, particularly in financing and investment decisions. For the business services industry, this move underscores the importance of experienced financial leadership in navigating complex energy transitions and ensuring robust financial health.
Stakeholders and investors can view the original release on www.newmediawire.com for further details. As reported by NEWMEDIAWIRE, Waldner’s appointment reflects a strategic emphasis on financial discipline and capital allocation, which could influence VERBUND’s growth trajectory and competitive positioning in the European energy sector.
