Dr. Mikael Berthod is a seasoned executive in the refining and petrochemical industry, currently serving as the Head of Joint Venture Management Refining & Business Development at OMV Refining & Marketing MEA in Abu Dhabi, UAE, since February 2025. He is also the General Manager of the OMV Refining & Marketing MEA office and a Director on the Board of Pak-Arab Refinery Limited.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Berthod was Head of Business Development & Sustainability Growth at OMV, where he led the expansion of OMV’s strategy in the MEA region, driving initiatives in sustainable fuels, circular plastics, and synthetic feedstocks. He also held leadership positions at Borealis in Austria as Head of Process Technology & Chemistry, overseeing the development and improvement of chemical processes across the polyolefin and hydrocarbon value network.

From 2015 to 2021, Dr. Berthod was Vice President of the Research Centre Division and a member of the Executive Leadership Team at ADNOC Refining in Abu Dhabi. There, he established and led the ADNOC Refining Research Centre, developed R&D strategies, and managed a multicultural team, achieving significant milestones such as the development of a catalyst management system and the production of the first 100% UAE-produced bio jet fuel.

Dr. Berthod holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France. He is also a member of the ADIPEC Downstream Technical Advisory Committee and has a strong track record in mentoring young professionals and fostering innovation in the energy sector.