VNG AG extends contract with CEO Ulf Heitmüller

Before his existing contract had expired, the Supervisory Board of VNG AG has extended Ulf Heitmüller’s contract as Chair of the Executive Board of VNG for another three years This means that Heitmüller will remain at the helm of the Executive Board of the Leipzig-based energy group until 2029. Since taking office in October 2016, Ulf Heitmüller has played a key role in developing and driving forward VNG’s strategic transformation. Under his leadership, VNG was able to successfully develop its market position in a challenging environment and expand it steadily throughout 2022. At the same time, the Group's transition to green gases has been moved consistently moved forward.

Dirk Güsewell, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and member of the Executive Board of EnBW, was pleased with the contract extension: “With Ulf Heitmüller, VNG is retaining an experienced and strategically minded CEO. His clear focus on transformation and security of supply has had a decisive impact on VNG in recent years. His strong leadership has also successfully guided the company through uncertain and dynamic times. Thanks in no small measure to his commitment, VNG is now a sound company and is remains firmly on the path to stable growth. For us, the contract extension sends out a strong signal for continuity and stability at VNG. Together with his two colleagues on the Executive Board, we believe VNG will continue to be in good hands in the future.”

Ulf Heitmüller commented: “I am very pleased about the extension of my contract and the opportunity to continue the successful collaboration with our dedicated team as well as our customers and partners. Together we will further develop VNG and continue to supply our customers with natural gas reliably and competitively in the future. At the same time, we are consistently continuing our work on rolling out green gases such as hydrogen and biogas, even in an environment that is currently not entirely straightforward. But to achieve this, we need a stable political and regulatory framework. Despite all the challenges we have faced in recent years, we have always been focused on the requirements of the energy markets and the needs of our customers, and we will continue to do so in the future. VNG provides the energy that's needed – I will continue to dedicate myself to this task over the next three years.”

ABOUT ULF HEITMÜLLER    

Ulf Heitmüller (* born 14 June 1965 in Nienburg, Germany) has been CEO of VNG AG since 2016. He is also Honorary Consul for Norway in the German federal states of Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. In addition to his position as BDEW Vice President, he is Chairman of the Board of the VNG Foundation. Furthermore, Ulf Heitmüller is also a member of the governing body of EUROGAS and of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft [Donors' Association for German Science], and chairman of the Landeskuratorium Mitteldeutschland [State Board of Trustees of Central Germany]. From 2010 to 2016 he held senior and executive roles at EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, latterly as Executive Director Trading & Supply. Between 1994 and 2010, Ulf Heitmüller held various technical and leadership roles in the German and European gas industry, first at BEB in Hannover, and later at Royal Dutch Shell, where he became responsible for natural gas sales in north-western Europe. Ulf Heitmüller obtained a diploma in electrical engineering at Leibniz University, Hannover in 1993.

Portrait Ulf Heitmüller; Quelle: VNG/Torsten Pross