RHI Magnesita N.V. has a one-tier board structure with a Board consisting of both executive directors and non-executive directors (including employee representatives). The Board is collectively responsible for and has the power to conduct the general affairs of the company.
The Board has established four committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Corporate Sustainability Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee to ensure a strong governance framework for decision-making.
The Remuneration Committee Report, including information on the implementation of the policy, the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, including details on the Executive Directors’ service contracts, as well as the Annual Report on Remuneration can be found within the Annual Report which is available in the Investors / Results & Presentations section of this website.
Herbert brings a wealth of experience to his role as Chairman, including corporate financing, international business and industrial company management. He is well-versed and attentive to matters of geo-politics and their impact on a global business, ensuring that RHI Magnesita is prepared and alert to the risks and opportunities which arise. He was initially appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RHI AG in 2007, going on to be Chairman from 2010.
Herbert obtained a Doctorate in Law from University of Vienna, graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and received a Master’s of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University Washington D.C.
Current External appointments: Watermill Group Boston (Advisor), Cooper & Turner Group (Advisory Board Member), CORDT & PARTNER Management und Finanzierungsconsulting GesmbH (Managing Partner), Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service, MSFS Program (Advisory Board Member).
John is an experienced non-executive in listed companies, bringing to the Board his knowledge and awareness of shareholder interests and market practice. He has held senior financial executive roles across the world and his knowledge in accounting and finance provides valuable practical experience to help management navigate the risks and analyse business performance effectively.
John is a Chartered Accountant and also holds an Honours Degree in Accounting.
Current External appointments: Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Supervisory Board Member) and Babcock International PLC (Non-Executive Director, Chair of Audit Committee).
Stefan’s career has focused on business transformations, with a track record of leading positive change in the process industries from chemicals, plastics and biotech to mining, minerals and fertilisers. He continues to drive for change in the refractory industry as CEO of RHI Magnesita with his charismatic leadership that motivates and challenges his management team to perform to their utmost. His broad experience worldwide brings extensive knowledge in business management in an environment of constant change, while empowering people to achieve exceptional, sustainable results.
Stefan has a business administration degree from the University Saarbrücken and an MBA from the University of St. Gallen-HSG.
Current External appointments: Afyren SAS (Chairman) and Borgasadvisory GmbH (owner).
Ian has extensive financial and commercial leadership experience with multinational mining, metals and industrial businesses. He has a track record of driving financial and business performance improvement and broad experience in strategy, M&A, investor relations and governance. Ian enjoyed a successful career with FTSE listed Anglo American plc for over 20 years, including as Finance Director of Anglo American Platinum.
Ian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Cape Town and is a chartered accountant.
Current External appointments: none
Janet’s distinguished career in the energy sector has provided her with significant skills across a business’ value chain, in general management, and in environmental and sustainability matters. Her training as an engineer allows her to fully appreciate the challenges of operating an industrial business. Janet also has a wide range of board and committee experience as a non-executive director in both public bodies and listed entities, and has over ten years’ experience of chairing remuneration committees.
Janet holds a BSc in Energy Engineering from Swansea University.
Current External appointments: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority UK (Senior Independent Director and Chair of Safety & Sustainability), Victrex plc (Non-Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration) and Stolt-Nielsen Ltd (Non-Executive Director).
David has key management and supervisory experience in international financial and industrial institutions. He brings a full appreciation of the Group’s stakeholders to the Board and is keen to ensure that the Group meets its social responsibilities. A longstanding board member (he was a member of the Supervisory Board at RHI AG from 2010), he has a deep understanding of the refractory industry, its customers and market participants, and consequently the operations of RHI Magnesita.
David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Israel.
Current External appointments: M-Tel Holding GmbH (Chief Investment Officer and Joint Managing Director).
Stanislaus has deployed industrial knowledge, combined with financial detail, throughout his career, and with his experience as a senior executive in the energy industry, has brought first-hand understanding of sustainability matters in an industrial setting as well as process design experience in the context of large IT projects. Outside of RHI Magnesita, he focuses on private equity work in a German mid-cap environment and also engages in a broad range of asset management activities in a family office environment. He was a member of the Supervisory Board at RHI AG from 2001, and a member of its Audit Committee from 2007.
Stanislaus holds a Sloan Fellows Master’s in Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management and studied Business Administration and Economics at Université de Fribourg. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Current External appointments: STUV Steinbach & Vollmann Holding GmbH (CEO)
Jann is an experienced financial professional who has primarily focused her career in the energy sector but also in engineering services, manufacturing and investment management. As a result of these roles, Jann has extensive international business experience, particularly in India and the Middle East. Her listed company board experience, both as an executive and a nonexecutive, brings an awareness of the importance of governance, culture and strong ethics.
Jann is a Chartered Accountant, and also holds an Honours Degree in History from Edinburgh University.
Current External appointments: ICAS Foundation (Trustee and board member).
Karl progressed to CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International AG after being Deputy CEO and undertaking management roles in the Raiffeisen Bank where he was responsible for corporate customers and corporate, trade and export finance worldwide. Prior to this, he held several senior management positions in Creditanstalt- Bankverein, where he focused on corporate and export finance. Additionally, he has held the position of Secretary to the Federal Minister for Trade and Industry of Austria.
Karl holds a Master’s and Doctorate Degree from Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Current External appointments: Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG (Non-Executive Director) and Custos Privatstiftung (Management Board member).
Marie-Hélène has extensive skills and experience in sustainability, digitisation and automation, particularly across Europe’s industrial sector, supporting key areas of RHI Magnesita’s strategy. Through her role in venture capital, she brings knowledge on the latest trends in climate and industrial technology, as well as of how to create high-functioning, innovating teams.
Marie-Hélène graduated in Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and studied at the University of California.
Current External appointments: Greyparrot.ai Ltd (Non-Executive Director)) Speedinvest Deutschland GmbH (Managing Director) and Erste Bank der österreichischen Sparkassen AG ( Supervisory Board member).
Wolfgang started his professional career in oil and gas at OMV, where he became CEO and then Chairman of the Management Board. He has held numerous supervisory board roles, including as Chairman, in industries such as telecommunications, real estate, healthcare and insurance. Wolfgang also served as Secretary of State in the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance. His varied career brings a wide range of strategic and business management experience. Wolfgang was a member of the Supervisory Board of RHI AG from 2012 to 2017.
Wolfgang graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
Current External appointments: Erne Fittings GmbH (Supervisory Board member)
Katarina has her foundations in Operations and, over her extensive international career, has led the transformation of operations and the value-chain at executive and board level, always structuring organisations in a lean and efficient manner. She relishes pragmatic and pro-active problem solving with focus on continuous improvements both structurally and incrementally. She had a long international career at Volvo Group, Munters AB in Sweden and Hempel A/S in Denmark.
Katarina holds an M.Sc. in Material Science from Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.
Current External appointments: Elected member of the Swedish Royal Engineering Academy.
Franz-Ferdinand joined Rhône Capital in 2004 and became a Managing Director in 2011. During his tenure at Rhône, he has been active in the sourcing, execution, and monitoring of investments in the business services, consumer, energy and general industrial sectors. Funds sponsored by Rhône Capital have indicated a current holding of approximately 24% of the Company’s capital. Before joining Rhône, Franz-Ferdinand worked in the mergers and acquisitions department of Citigroup.
Franz-Ferdinand holds a Masters in management with distinction from ESCP-EAP European School of Management in Paris and a Masters in Finance with distinction from the London Business School. Prior to this, he served as second lieutenant in German Army Intelligence.
Current External appointments: MaxamCorp Holding S.L. (Non-Executive Director), Rexair LLC (Non-Executive Director), Saks Global (Non-Executive Director) and Sweet Oak Holdings LP (Non-Executive Director).
Karin studied at the University of Oviedo and finished her degree in computer science in 1994, specialising in systems support. She started with the Group at RHI in 1997, first working in the commercial execution team and then she transferred to the IT on-site support in Oviedo as a Regional Site Service Coordinator where she continues to work as a senior site coordinator. Karin has been appointed as an Employee Representative Director by the Spanish Works Council.
Current External appointments: none
Martin has been with the Group since 1987 and is the Chairman of the works council at the Flagship Digital Plant in Radenthein. He is a trained Company electrician, completed an one-year Chamber of Labour/trade union training, then studied education/group dynamics and organisational development. Martin graduated from the Alpen Adria University. Martin has been appointed as an Employee Representative Director by the Austrian Works Council.
Current external appointments: none.
Michael has been with the Group since 1983 and is a member of the works council at RHI Magnesita Deutschland AG. Michael has been appointed as an Employee Representative Director by the German Works Council.
Current External appointments: none