VERBUND AG, Austria's leading utility and one of Europe's largest producers of electricity from hydropower, has named Stefan Waldner as its new Chief Financial Officer. The appointment, announced by the Supervisory Board on October 7, 2026, fills a critical leadership gap following the departure of Peter Kollmann on August 31, 2026. Waldner, 49, will serve a two-year term, with an option to extend for an additional two years. Until he takes office, CEO Michael Strugl will continue to oversee the finance portfolio, a responsibility the Supervisory Board acknowledged with gratitude.
Waldner brings over two decades of experience in the international energy industry, with a robust background in financing, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. He currently holds a Senior Vice President position in OMV's finance function, where he has been since 2005. His prior roles include CFO of OMV Petrol Ofisi in Türkiye and CFO and Executive Board member of OMV Petrom in Romania. He began his career at Merrill Lynch International in London, equipping him with a global perspective on financial markets. This depth of experience is expected to be instrumental as VERBUND navigates the energy transition and seeks to maintain its financial strength.
Martin Ohneberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of VERBUND AG, emphasized Waldner's qualifications: "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." 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 himself expressed enthusiasm: "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."
The appointment is significant for several reasons. First, it ensures continuity in VERBUND's financial leadership during a period of intense transformation in the European energy sector, where utilities are grappling with volatile markets, regulatory changes, and the push for renewable energy. Waldner's experience at OMV, a major oil and gas company, may seem unconventional for a hydropower-focused utility, but it brings valuable insights into capital markets and large-scale project financing, which are crucial for funding renewable infrastructure. Second, his internal promotion from within OBAG's portfolio companies highlights the strength of the group's talent pipeline and could boost employee morale. Third, the two-year term with an extension option provides flexibility, allowing the company to assess his performance while signaling stability to investors.
As VERBUND continues to invest in hydropower and other renewables, Waldner's role will be pivotal in securing financing and optimizing capital allocation. His track record in M&A could also position VERBUND for strategic partnerships or acquisitions in the evolving energy landscape. The appointment was originally announced via www.newmediawire.com, and further details are available through NEWMEDIAWIRE.
