ORF Foundation Board approves Clemens Pig’s leadership team

The ORF Foundation Board has approved the leadership team proposed by incoming Director-General Clemens Pig. The appointments, which carry a five-year term starting January 1, 2027, include four central directors and nine regional directors.

The central leadership team consists of Silvia Lieb (Finance and Administration), Michael Krön (Program and Brands), Angelika Simma-Wallinger (Audience and Platforms), and Harald Kräuter (Technology and Innovation). Regional appointments include the re-election of several current directors and the appointment of new leaders for Carinthia, Salzburg, Styria, and Vorarlberg.

The selection process, which involved 142 applications and external recruitment experts, faced criticism from board members such as Peter Westenthaler. Critics argued that the board lacked sufficient insight into candidate concepts and questioned whether the process complied with the European Media Freedom Act. Despite these objections, the appointments were passed with a large majority.

Looking ahead, the new leadership will face significant challenges, including a government-mandated savings package of 93 million euros and ongoing discussions regarding the future structural reform of the broadcaster.