ÖBAG Supervisory Board appoints industry executive as new ÖBAG Management Board member – unanimous decision in favor of Telekom Austria AG Deputy CEO Thomas Arnoldner. Supervisory Board Chairman Günther Ofner: "The best candidate has won the race – a forward-looking and promising decision in the interest of the Republic of Austria, taxpayers and ÖBAG."
Vienna (18. September 2026) Today, the ÖBAG Supervisory Board unanimously appointed Thomas Arnoldner, the long-standing Deputy CEO of Telekom Austria AG, as the sole member of ÖBAG's Management Board for a five-year term beginning on February 1, 2027. During the hearings and in addressing the tasks assigned to the candidates, Mr. Arnoldner presented the most compelling concepts in a highly motivated and authentic manner. Arnoldner brings many years of management experience in major infrastructure companies, gained not only during his eight successful years as a member of the Management Board of A5 Telekom AG, but also previously through senior management positions at NOKIA, Alcatel-Lucent and T-Systems Austria. As a recognized expert, he heads the Digitalization and AI Task Force of the Federation of Austrian Industries. He also has extensive capital markets experience in a listed company and has demonstrated his expertise in projects of major importance to Austria as a business location, including the expansion of fiber-optic infrastructure and 1G networks, as well as efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty.
Günther Ofner, Chairman of the ÖBAG Supervisory Board, welcomed the fact that the Supervisory Board's decision was unanimous. "This is a major vote of confidence for the new member of the Management Board. The best candidate has won the race. For ÖBAG, but also for the Republic and taxpayers, this is a forward-looking and promising decision. It is intended to make the best possible contribution to the positive development of Austria as a business location." "The key tasks will be to implement the new ÖBAG strategy in line with the federal government's industrial strategy and, as sole member of the Management Board, to continue to successfully managing ÖBAG – which oversees state-owned holdings with a portfolio value of EUR 31 billion – on an objective and independent basis, in close cooperation with the Supervisory Board," Supervisory Board Chairman Günther Ofner concluded. Thomas Arnoldner commented on his appointment as follows: "I am pleased by the Supervisory Board's confidence in me and take up this task with great respect. ÖBAG does not manage its own money; it manages the assets of the Republic and, therefore, those of the taxpayers. This creates a special responsibility." "After eight years on the Management Board of a major listed infrastructure company, I know what capital markets and fellow shareholders expect from a reliable core shareholder – and what a strong business location needs in terms of its infrastructure. ÖBAG should actively shape its role as an owner and make independent decisions. This is how we strengthen our holdings and, in turn, Austria as an industrial and energy-hub location."
Today's decision is the result of a three-month selection process. In parallel with the public search in accordance with the Job Placement Act, executive search firm Boyden also sought qualified candidates through direct approaches and a national and international market search. A total of 46 people applied within the deadline. In a multi-stage process, and based on the criteria set out in the job advertisement and a polarity profile, nine candidates were ultimately invited to an in-depth hearing with the Nomination Committee. All applicants were assured of strict confidentiality. This was a prerequisite for attracting candidates who are currently employed or hold mandates, as they did not want their employers to learn that they had applied. The final and decisive hearing focused on developing a concrete solution for a task relating to ÖBAG's portfolio. The ÖBAG Supervisory Board would like to express its particular appreciation to all those who applied and/or participated in the hearings and contributed their ideas and concepts, thereby making a positive contribution to the further development of ÖBAG.
Further inquiry note:
Michael Mauritz
Head of Corporate and Capital Markets Communications
+43 1 71114-203 | +43 664 81 805 62
michael.mauritz@oebag.gv.at