Wiener Börse 2025: Celebrating Austria’s Top CEOs and CFOs of the Year
- Who Took Home the Trophies at the 2025 CEO & CFO Awards?
- Building Success Brick by Brick: The PORR Power Duo
- Energy’s Dynamic Duo: OMV’s Strategic Masterstroke
- Banking on Excellence: Erste Group’s Winning Formula
- The Post’s New Power Couple: Delivering More Than Mail
- Tech Titans: Frequentis’ Growth Story
- Green Giants: VERBUND’s Climate Crusade
- Rising Star: AMAG’s Claudia Trampitsch
- Behind the Scenes: How Winners Were Chosen
- Frequently Asked Questions
The prestigious CEO & CFO Awards have once again honored the brightest leadership duos in Austria’s publicly traded companies. From construction giants to energy innovators, this year’s winners showcase resilience, strategic brilliance, and a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. Dive into the stories behind these industry titans and discover how they’re shaping Austria’s economic future.
Who Took Home the Trophies at the 2025 CEO & CFO Awards?
The Austrian business elite gathered last night to celebrate the crème de la crème of corporate leadership. Six categories recognized outstanding performance, plus a special nod to this year’s rising star in finance. Harald Breit, CEO of Deloitte Austria, put it perfectly: “These winners demonstrate that strong leadership isn’t just about numbers—it’s about steering companies through uncertainty while creating lasting value.”
Building Success Brick by Brick: The PORR Power Duo
In the cutthroat world of construction, Karl-Heinz Strauss and Klemens Eiter of PORR have built something remarkable—a €1 billion market cap despite housing market headwinds. Their secret? A focus on increasing free float to boost stock attractiveness while maintaining rising margins. As one juror noted, “When Austria thinks infrastructure, it thinks PORR—that’s the ultimate compliment in our book.”
Energy’s Dynamic Duo: OMV’s Strategic Masterstroke
Alfred Stern and Reinhard Florey didn’t just merge Borealis and Borouge—they created Borouge Group International, positioning OMV for the energy transition. Their ReOil recycling plant and geothermal projects NEAR Vienna showcase the kind of innovation that earned them top honors in Energy & Raw Materials. “Benchmark emissions placements in 2024? That’s not luck—that’s execution,” remarked a panelist.
Banking on Excellence: Erste Group’s Winning Formula
Peter Bosek and Stefan Dörfler proved that boring banking can be beautiful. Their landmark Polish deal secured Erste’s CEE dominance while their no-nonsense leadership delivered market-beating performance. “They understand banking isn’t about flashy moves—it’s about steady hands guiding capital,” observed the jury before awarding them the Banking & Insurance crown.
The Post’s New Power Couple: Delivering More Than Mail
Walter Oblin and Barbara Potisk-Eibensteiner of Austrian Post AG took the Mobility category by storm. Oblin’s seamless CEO transition created space for Potisk-Eibensteiner to shine as CFO. Together, they’re defending their parcel delivery throne in an increasingly competitive landscape. “They’re not just leaders—they’re personalities who inspire,” noted one impressed voter.
Tech Titans: Frequentis’ Growth Story
Norbert Haslacher and Peter Skerlan turned Frequentis into a stock market darling through sheer growth execution. When order intake surpasses annual revenue, you’re doing something right—especially in mission-critical tech. Their Technology category win underscores how safety and innovation can coexist profitably.
Green Giants: VERBUND’s Climate Crusade
Michael Strugl and Peter F. Kollmann didn’t just talk ESG—they embedded it in VERBUND’s DNA. From their €500M biodiversity-linked bond to “Fitfor24’s” full CSRD integration, their ESG category victory proves sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive. “Their hydrogen strategy alone could rewrite Austria’s energy playbook,” gushed a sustainability expert on the panel.
Rising Star: AMAG’s Claudia Trampitsch
The CFO Newcomer of 2025 award went to AMAG’s Claudia Trampitsch, whose tax advisory roots and operational experience made her promotion to Austria Metall’s first female board member inevitable. “She doesn’t just crunch numbers—she builds bridges between finance and operations,” praised a CFO Club member.
Behind the Scenes: How Winners Were Chosen
Half peer judgment (CEOs judging CEOs), half cold-hard metrics (weighted stock performance analysis)—that’s the awards’ secret sauce. For ESG evaluations, Gerald Siegmund of FSG Sustainable brought scientific rigor to sustainability assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the CEO & CFO Awards winners selected?
The selection combines peer evaluations from fellow executives (50% weight) with quantitative analysis of company stock performance over specific periods (50% weight). ESG evaluations were conducted by independent sustainability experts.
What makes this year’s winners special?
2025’s cohort stands out for navigating unprecedented economic crosscurrents—from energy transitions to banking sector turbulence—while delivering measurable results. Their ability to balance short-term pressures with long-term strategy impressed judges.
Why does the CFO Newcomer award matter?
Recognizing rising finance stars like AMAG’s Trampitsch signals where Austria’s next generation of corporate leadership is emerging. Past winners often progress to CEO roles within 5-7 years.
