Our new partners 2026

As part of our continued international growth, we have expanded our partner group at Horváth. At the turn of the financial year, four new partners were appointed: Adrian Bötz, Stefan Leber, Georg Mrusek, and Ralf Noffke. What motivated them along their journey? And what are they most looking forward to in their new roles? We asked them these and other questions.

Adrian Bötz

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PARTNERSHIP! WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PATH?
Having been part of Horváth for more than a decade, this partnership marks a meaningful milestone in a journey I deeply value. It is truly an honor and I see it as both recognition and responsibility. My motivation has always been driven by a strong passion for risk management and security in digital ecosystems, which I believe are more critical than ever in today’s world. At the same time, my team has been a constant source of inspiration, encouraging me to keep pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.  

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEW ROLE? 
I’m most looking forward to broadening my perspective and taking on greater responsibility in this new role. It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to strategic decisions and help navigate the company in times where the next challenge is straight ahead. Equally important to me is orchestrating a strong team, bringing together diverse strengths to create meaningful impact. Together, we can shape the world of tomorrow with passion. 

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME? 
In my free time, I’m definitely a food enthusiast. I love exploring new restaurants just as much as cooking at home and trying out new recipes. Staying active is also important to me, so I regularly spend time at the gym to keep fit. Whenever I get the chance, I enjoy skiing in the mountains, which is a perfect way to recharge. Most importantly, I value spending quality time with family and friends, as that’s what truly helps me unwind. Balancing these activities keeps me energized and grounded. 

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW COLLEAGUES? 
Stay curious and engaged, as this is the foundation for learning and growth. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and contribute your own ideas. Remember, “Nothing in the world is so powerful as an idea whose time has come,” so trust your perspective. By showing initiative and confidence, you can make an impact from day one. 

Stefan Leber

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PARTNERSHIP! WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PATH?
My motivation comes from a strong passion for driving transformation together with our clients and teams. When I joined Horváth almost ten years ago, I quickly realized that this is exactly where I can live this passion: working side by side with clients, opening doors, scaling businesses, and building high‑performing teams. Over the past years, we have developed Controlling & Finance in Austria into the leading CFO advisory team in the country and contributed significantly to the growth of our Regional Center. Becoming a partner is therefore a very meaningful step for me. It gives me the platform and responsibility to further shape our business in the Austrian market. 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEW ROLE? 
First, I look forward to further developing our CFO advisory business in Austria. Second, I am eager to continue building and scaling our team. In my new role, I will foster broad skill development, close integration with our Group Centers, and create attractive career opportunities at all levels. Third, I am very much looking forward to acting even more as a door opener for Horváth’s full solution portfolio. Supporting our clients across a broader agenda is something I truly enjoy. Finally, on a personal level, I look forward to continuing what motivates me most: leading teams through complex challenges and scaling what we have already built. 

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME? 
I draw most of my energy from spending time with my family – whether we are travelling, hiking, or simply being outdoors together. At home, I enjoy hands‑on activities: working on our house, in the garden, fixing things, and creating something tangible. These moments help me switch off completely and provide a healthy balance to my professional life. Overall, this mix of family time, nature, and being a DIY enthusiast gives me perspective and allows me to return to work with fresh energy and inspiration.  

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW COLLEAGUES? 
I would encourage new colleagues to actively engage with their surroundings – to observe, reflect, and always try to contribute with their own ideas. Consulting offers a steep learning curve, and taking part in discussions and projects early on helps build confidence and understanding over time. Developing broad skills from the beginning is, in my view, a valuable investment. Taking responsibility for your own development, being mindful of the value you create, and approaching your work with a sense of entrepreneurship will open many doors over time. From my experience, this path is demanding at times, but it is also highly rewarding, both professionally and personally. 

Georg Mrusek

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PARTNERSHIP! WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PATH?
What motivated me most was the opportunity to actively shape the transformation of an entire industry. The automotive sector is undergoing one of the biggest shifts in its history and I’ve always been driven by building new businesses and turning change into growth opportunities.  
Becoming a partner allows me to take this one step further: not only advising clients, but helping to build markets, develop new capabilities, and create long-term impact for both our clients and our firm. 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEW ROLE? 
I’m most excited about scaling what we have already built. Over the past years, we’ve developed strong capabilities around new mobility ecosystems, international expansion, and China-related topics. In my new role, I want to take this to the next level by expanding into new markets, building long-term client relationships, and growing our business in a sustainable way. And just as importantly, I’m looking forward to developing people and helping the next generation of consultants grow. 

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME? 
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active through sports – it’s the best way for me to recharge and stay focused. For example, I enjoy long-distance running and have developed a passion for marathons, which is a great way to challenge myself and build mental resilience for me. I also have to admit that I’ve always had a passion for cars – so whenever I get the chance, I still enjoy driving, especially fast cars. 

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW COLLEAGUES? 
Be curious, take ownership early, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Consulting offers a unique opportunity to learn fast, but real growth happens when you actively shape topics rather than just work on them. And one more thing: build relationships early. Strong networks – in the industry, with clients and internally – are one of the most important success factors in this profession. 

Ralf Noffke

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PARTNERSHIP! WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PATH?
The entrepreneurial mindset and culture at Horváth strongly resonate with my core values. This has motivated me to pursue the path to Partner with dedication. The new role will enable me to further increase visibility in the market, invest in the growth and development of our teams, and deliver great projects for our clients, creating sustainable success and a measurable return on consulting.  

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEW ROLE? 
We are just entering another large transformation driven by technology and AI. This transformation impacts our clients but also our industry. I believe that embracing that change will unlock tremendous opportunities for our clients. I am dedicated and committed to shaping this transformation – for our clients and also for us as a company. In Finance but also by connecting the dots beyond, in Switzerland and across the Horváth group. I am truly energized and motivated to lead with passion, to shape our future together successfully. 

WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME? 
Spending time with my kids, family, and friends is essential to me. To recharge, I get out on my road bike and enjoy the beautiful nature in Switzerland and beyond. Beyond sports, I enjoy listening to audiobooks that explore possible scenarios in the years ahead, shaped by advances in technology, AI, or other emerging trends. Travelling and visiting cities across Europe allow me to explore heritage and culture and help me to stay grounded.  

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW COLLEAGUES? 
Horváth has a great culture and team spirit. Always be open to exploring new ideas, pursue an entrepreneurial mindset and share as much knowledge, connections and experience as possible. Be curious, proactive and take on responsibility – this will advance your career and help drive Horváth forward. Not to forget: always have fun with what you do and celebrate successes!