VERBUND AG, Austria's leading energy utility, has appointed Stefan Waldner as its new Chief Financial Officer and Management Board member, effective immediately. The Supervisory Board announced the decision on October 7, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at a time when European energy companies face volatile markets, massive infrastructure investment needs, and the ongoing energy transition. Waldner's two-year term includes an option for a further two-year extension, providing continuity in the company's financial strategy.
Waldner, 49, brings more than 20 years 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, and previously held CFO roles at OMV Petrol Ofisi in Turkiye and OMV Petrom in Romania, where he was also an Executive Board member. His career began at Merrill Lynch International in London before joining OMV in 2005, giving him a rare combination of investment banking and operational energy finance experience.
"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."
The appointment matters because VERBUND, which is majority-owned by the Republic of Austria and operates extensive hydroelectric, wind, and solar assets, requires disciplined capital allocation to fund its renewable expansion and grid modernization. Waldner's capital markets background will be critical as the company navigates rising interest rates and seeks to finance large-scale projects without compromising its balance sheet. His experience at OMV, a major integrated energy company, also signals a focus on operational efficiency and strategic portfolio management.
Waldner succeeds Peter Kollmann, who stepped down on August 31, 2026. Until Waldner takes office, CEO Michael Strugl will continue to oversee the finance portfolio, a temporary arrangement that underscores the Supervisory Board's confidence in Strugl's leadership. The board expressed its thanks for his additional responsibility.
In his own statement, Waldner said: "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." His appointment is expected to reinforce investor confidence, as VERBUND continues to play a central role in Austria's and Europe's clean energy future.
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