Integrated oil, gas and chemicals major OMV Aktiengesellschaft has taken a major step towards a major leadership transition.

 

The company's Presidential and Nomination Committee has agreed to propose Emma Delaney as the next Chairwoman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. 

 

If confirmed, she would succeed Alfred Stern. 

 

The proposed mandate is set for three years, with the option of a two-year extension by mutual agreement. A final decision will be taken by the Supervisory Board at its upcoming meeting. The committee will also consider extending Chief Financial Officer Reinhard Florey’s mandate by two years.

 

Emma Delaney, an Irish citizen and veteran energy executive, currently serves as Executive Vice President at bp, where she oversees one of the company’s three global divisions. 

 

She leads a workforce of more than 50,000 employees across roughly 50 countries, with responsibilities spanning fuels and biofuels, industrial and automotive lubricants, aviation fuels, and e-mobility. 

 

With 30 years of industry experience, she brings deep expertise across upstream, downstream, and LNG operations. OMV said she emerged as the leading candidate from an international search process.

 

Lutz Feldmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Presidential and Nomination Committee, said: "Emma Delaney is an outstanding and highly qualified CEO candidate. She meets all prerequisites to lead OMV successfully, building on her extensive industry and management experience.“

 

Edith Hlawati, Deputy Chairwoman of OMV and ÖBAG CEO, said: "This proposal is precisely on the spot. The Executive Board nomination of Emma Delaney will give OMV an even stronger international visibility. With her appointment Emma Delaney would become the first female CEO in the history of OMV."