Photo: Fluence (archive photo)
Fluence Energy named Axel Meier interim chief executive on Monday, November 2, and announced a broader leadership shake-up as the battery-storage company works to improve manufacturing, customer delivery and financial performance.
Meier succeeds Julian Nebreda, while Ricardo Roizen has replaced Ahmed Pasha as interim chief financial officer. Fluence said it has begun searches for permanent leaders for both positions in its Monday announcement.
The company’s SEC filing sets out the timing: Nebreda departed October 30, Meier’s interim CEO appointment took effect November 2, and Roizen’s interim CFO appointment took effect October 30. Nebreda also left the board; the filing says that resignation did not result from a disagreement over company operations, policies or practices.
Meier has served on Fluence’s board since 2020 and previously was chief financial officer of Siemens Smart Infrastructure. Roizen previously served as CFO of AES Andes and is seconded from that company to the interim Fluence role, according to the filing.
Fluence’s board also created a manufacturing and operations oversight committee chaired by Stephan May, with Stephen Coughlin and Elizabeth Fessenden as members. The company said the committee will focus on manufacturing performance, execution and customer delivery.
New oversight for manufacturing and delivery
Chief Operating Officer Bernerd Da Santos will lead the operational transformation. His responsibilities include supply chain, product development, commercial performance and delivering projects to customers.
Marco Boos will join as senior vice president and chief customer success officer on November 15, replacing John Zahurancik. Fluence said Boos brings experience in manufacturing and operational improvement from companies including Proenergy, Weatherford, ABB and Siemens.
The changes come as Fluence seeks to turn a large order book into better operating results. The company cited a $6.4 billion backlog reported with its fiscal third-quarter results, but that backlog is not the same as revenue already earned or cash already collected.
Chairman Herman Bulls said the board wants sharper accountability and stronger execution. The company said major shareholders Siemens and AES support the transformation. Those statements describe the board’s plans and expectations, rather than proof that financial improvement has already occurred.
Fluence plans to report fiscal 2026 results after the market closes November 23, with an earnings call November 24. It said fiscal 2027 financial guidance will come later. The near-term task for the interim team is to improve execution while the permanent leadership searches proceed.
JBizNews Desk | New York
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