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ADNOC and OMV appoint new leadership for Borouge Group International

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 26, 2026

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· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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ADNOC and OMV appoint new leadership for Borouge Group International
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March 26 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC and Austria's OMV said on Thursday they have appointed Roger Kearns as chief executive officer and Sultan Al Jaber as chairman of the supervisory

ADNOC and OMV Reveal New Leadership Team for Borouge Group International

Formation and Leadership of Borouge Group International

March 26 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC and Austria's OMV said on Thursday they have appointed Roger Kearns as chief executive officer and Sultan Al Jaber as chairman of the supervisory board for Borouge Group International, a new global polyolefins company from an expected merger.

Details of the Merger and Company Structure

BGI is being formed through the combination of ADNOC and OMV's shareholdings in Borouge and Borealis, alongside the acquisition of NOVA Chemicals. The transactions are on track to close before the end of March 2026.

Key Executive Appointments

Kearns, currently president and CEO of NOVA Chemicals, has over 40 years of experience in the chemicals sector, ADNOC and OMV said in a statement.

Leadership Backgrounds

Al Jaber is the managing director and group CEO of ADNOC, as well as the executive chairman of XRG, ADNOC's international investment arm. He is also the United Arab Emirates' minister of industry and advanced technology and was president of the COP28 climate summit hosted by his country.

Broader Executive Leadership Team

BGI's broader executive leadership team draws directly from the merging companies. Borealis CEO Stefan Doboczky will be chief commercial officer of BGI. Hasan Karam, who has served as chief operating officer of Borouge Plc since May 2023, will take on the same role for the new group.

Borealis CFO Daniel Turnheim has been named interim chief financial officer until a permanent replacement is appointed by May 2026.

Ownership Structure and Future Plans

BGI will be jointly owned by OMV and XRG, with each holding an equal 50% share. BGI will hold approximately 90% of Borouge, which will retain its listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange until a proposed tender offer converts its shares into Borouge Group International shares, with current CEO Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi remaining in his post during the transition.

(Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Louise Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • Roger Kearns—President & CEO of NOVA Chemicals since June 2023 with decades of global chemicals leadership experience—is appointed CEO of the combined entity (novachem.com).
  • Sultan Al Jaber—the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, and COP28 President—is named chairman of BGI’s supervisory board (en.wikipedia.org).
  • Borouge Group International, to be jointly owned 50/50 by OMV and ADNOC (via XRG), will combine Borouge, Borealis, and NOVA Chemicals into the world’s fourth‑largest polyolefins company, with closing expected before end‑March 2026 (omv.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been appointed as CEO of Borouge Group International?
Roger Kearns, currently president and CEO of NOVA Chemicals, has been appointed as chief executive officer of Borouge Group International.
When are the ADNOC and OMV merger transactions expected to close?
The transactions are on track to close before the end of March 2026.
Who will serve as chairman of Borouge Group International?
Sultan Al Jaber has been named chairman of the supervisory board for Borouge Group International.
What companies are being merged to form Borouge Group International?
Borouge Group International is being formed by combining ADNOC and OMV’s shareholdings in Borouge and Borealis, along with the acquisition of NOVA Chemicals.
Will Borouge remain listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange?
Borouge will retain its listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange until a proposed tender offer converts its shares into Borouge Group International shares.

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