Florian Merz

Associate Director of Business Development (Europe) @ Masdar ♦ Board Member ♦ Aspiring, entrepreneurial, multi-sector C-suite leader: Strategy-Growth-Operations ♦ Green Hydrogen, Power-to-X, Energy Transition, Clean Tech

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

About

I am a dynamic architect of robust commercial entities with strategy, investment analysis, scale-up and operations expertise honed in a worldwide consulting firm and diverse multinational companies spanning PE/VC, energy/energy transition/hydrogen, chemicals, metals, automotive, and engineering. An award-winning leader, I tactically execute ground-breaking initiatives that propel value creation in international markets. I relish applying strong entrepreneurial capabilities as a passionate and energetic operating executive, championing a sustainable growth agenda, driving the transformation of processes, organizations and corporate structures and crystallising investment strategy decision-making. My core expertise lies in realising corporate potential by contributing as a member of a strong management team as highlighted by the following outcomes: • Leading the development and implementation of a clean hydrogen project portfolio to build an UAE-headquartered hydrogen ecosystem. • Member of the team to establish Mubadala Investment Company’s Petroleum & Petrochemicals Investment Platform and led a next generation energy transition framework. • Carved-out of Mubadala Petroleum as a standalone upstream company. • Co-instituted the global Metals & Mining BU for Mubadala Development Company and founded Mubadala’s 1st JV in China. • Led international expansion of Aftersales for Rolls-Royce & exclusive BMW Models. • Co-founded The Boston Consulting Group’s global Aerospace Practice Group and the technology subsidiary Platinion. Recognized for creative and adaptable leadership, flexibly applying expertise in changing and challenging environments, I engage stakeholders to common goals and a shared corporate vision and apply innovative strategies to achieve big picture objectives with incisive execution. Fluent in English and German, I have completed qualifications as a Mechanical Engineer with the Technical University of Munich and am a Graduate of Executive Programs at INSEAD.

Experience

  • Associate Director - Business Development (Europe) at Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company)
    Aug 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

    Leading Masdar's investment, business build-up and expansion in the Power-to-X sector - with green hydrogen in the core and Europe as production and off-take market in focus. * Managing teams in identifying, assessing, negotiating, developing, and closing projects, corporate transactions/ investments, and off-takes. * Led the teams to form the partnership with OMV, including the signing of the binding agreement for the 140MW electrolyser in Vienna, as the stepping stone for further PtX projects under the broader collaboration * Led the teams to achieve at COP28 the signing of the (i) Joint Development Agreement with OMV for an industrial-scale electrolysis plant in Austria, (ii) the Strategic Co-Investment & Co-Investment Agreement with Hy24 and (iii) the Hydrogen Certification Standards with the Joint Forum of the Hydrogen Council & One Planet Sovereign Wealth Fund (OPSWF)

  • Mubadala (On-site)
    • Director – UAE Industries (Energy Transition/ Hydrogen-focused)
      Jan 2021 - Mar 2024 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Aug 2023 - Mar 2024: Created growth and value during my secondment to Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) for building up the business development along the Power-to-X value chain with green hydrogen in the core Jan 2021 - Jul 2023: Created a new investment sector and accelerated UAE's industrial diversification via energy transition, hydrogen and industry. Additionally, provided investment management of a USD multi-billion portfolio of companies in energy transition, petroleum, utilities and aluminium. * Led the development & implementation of a USD multi-billion portfolio of various clean hydrogen, energy transition and industry projects in partnership with international partners. * Managed the investment in Masdar Green Hydrogen, Mubadala’s investee company. * Initiated Mubadala's $200 Million investment in the strategic partnership with Tubacex regarding the OCTG Business * Led Mubadala's collaboration with leading international organisations (e.g. Hydrogen Council, OPSWF, World Economic Forum) regarding energy transitions and hydrogen. * Managed the financial performance, objectives and risks & opportunities of the entire portfolio for value generation.

    • Director – Strategy & KPI Management, Petroleum and Petrochemicals Platform
      May 2017 - Jan 2021 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      Applied hands-on, active investment/ asset/ financial/ risk management to create value with a focus on responsible investment in sustainable hydrocarbon products and energy transition. * Crafted investment strategies to meet commercial objectives across 16 global assets resulting in several multi-billion USD investments/ divestments. * Formed the departments of strategic planning, market intelligence, business processes, enterprise risk management and procure-to-pay. * Framed low-carbon investment strategies resulting in due diligences and acquisitions spanning the LNG value chain, biofuels and specialty chemicals. * Project sponsor for investment strategies/ implementation of hydrogen and other energy transition.

  • Mubadala Petroleum (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · On-site)
    • Director - Operations Planning
      Jan 2016 - Apr 2017 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Led global operations planning/ performance management and process optimization programs. * Created centres of competence that optimised the performance/safety/cost base.

    • Senior Manager – Business Processes and Projects
      Nov 2010 - Dec 2015 · 5 yrs 2 mos

      Led carve-out of Mubadala Petroleum as a standalone upstream oil & gas subsidiary. Received the 2014 “Deliver the Promise – Award” reflecting outstanding performance. * Directed a complex integration and optimization program across operated/non-operated, international exploration & production assets in 11 countries. * Championed best-in-class governance and operational processes for the new entity. * Jointly authored countermeasures to mitigate losses from the 2014 drop in oil prices, slashing hundreds of millions USD from the cost base.

  • Senior Manager – Business Development, Metals & Mining Sector at Mubadala Development Company
    May 2008 - Oct 2010 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Co-led firstly the Automotive BU and then the Metals and Mining BU on strategy development, business growth, supply/ offtake management, and due diligence/ negotiations. * Centrally involved in securing the FID-ed Emirates Aluminium smelter supply and offtake chain and led JV negotiations for Mubadala’s first investment in China. * Positioned the Metals & Mining BU to globally diversify assets outside of the aluminium value chain. * Member of the asset management teams as well as of the government body for the integrated aluminium cluster that fostered multiple JV opportunities.

  • Head – Aftersales Concepts for Rolls-Royce & exclusive BMW Models at BMW
    Jan 2004 - Mar 2008 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    Firstly restructured processes/organizations and led large change programs in R&D, production, and quality before leading international expansion of the Aftersales BU. * Devised Aftersales deliverables & processes during the product development phase. * Led programs that addressed growth/technology/new product uptake challenges. * Authored and led the implementation of the Aftersales scale-up roadmap to support launch of a new Rolls Royce model.