Erwin Tinhof Appointed as New Chief Legal Officer of Austrian Raiffeisen Association

The Austrian Raiffeisen Association (ÖRV) has named Erwin Tinhof as its new Chief Legal Officer following a general assembly held in Vienna. Tinhof, who has previously served as the chairman of the supervisory board at Raiffeisenlandesbank Burgenland, steps into the role previously held by Erwin Hameseder. After four years in the position, Hameseder chose not to seek re-election and will continue his responsibilities as chairman of the Raiffeisen-Holding and the supervisory board of Raiffeisen Bank International.

The new leadership team of the ÖRV also includes three deputy chief legal officers: Volkmar Angermeier, chairman of the supervisory board at Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich; Michael Göschelbauer, chairman of the supervisory board at Raiffeisen Ware Austria; and Franz Titschenbacher, chairman of the Raiffeisen Association of Styria. Together, this team is expected to steer the organization through a period of ongoing transformation within the cooperative sector.

Tinhof has identified several key priorities for his tenure. Digital transformation is set to be at the forefront, with an emphasis on strengthening regional identity and expanding the cooperative's membership base. He has expressed his intent to foster collaboration across the sector, positioning the ÖRV as a pivotal organization within the Austrian cooperative movement.

Under Hameseder's leadership, the ÖRV has undergone significant development, implementing innovative changes that have positioned the association for future growth. Acknowledgements were made for the contributions of Secretary General Johannes Rehulka and the ÖRV staff, who have played vital roles in achieving the organization's objectives in recent years.

The announcement of Tinhof's appointment coincides with preparations for the annual Raiffeisen Day, set to take place at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna. This year's event will operate under the theme "The Future Needs Young Ideas," highlighting the importance of innovation and youth engagement within the cooperative sector. The gathering is expected to attract a range of distinguished guests, including government officials and industry leaders. Among the keynote speakers will be philosopher and publicist Richard David Precht, addressing the role of youth-driven ideas in driving change, and Bogdan Roscic, director of the Vienna State Opera, discussing the orchestration of future developments.

The Raiffeisen Day, held biennially in different Austrian provinces, is recognized as the largest event organized by the ÖRV. In addition to networking and discussions on the cooperative's strategic direction, the event will feature the presentation of the Genius Award, recognizing outstanding achievements within the organization.

The ÖRV continues to serve as the central national body for the Raiffeisen group, encompassing entities from the financial sector, agriculture, and other related industries. Its leadership transition marks a new chapter for the association as it seeks to build on recent successes and address the evolving needs of its members and the broader cooperative landscape in Austria.