Bernhard Kerres is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur based in Vienna, Austria. His career includes work in the arts and corporate leadership, making him a unique figure in innovation, leadership, and team collaboration.
Bernhard started as an opera singer, performing with notable artists. He later earned an MBA at London Business School, which helped him move into the corporate world. He worked in strategy consulting for high-tech and telecom companies at Booz & Co., then became CFO of Kapsch CarrierCom and CEO of M-Tech AG, a publicly listed company in Germany. In 2006, he became Artistic Director and CEO of the Vienna Concert House, successfully leading it into its 100th season and blending the arts with business.
After leaving the Vienna Concert House, Bernhard founded HELLO STAGE, a startup focused on digitising the classical music experience. As a Professional Certified Coach of the International Coaching Federation, he specialises in leadership, purpose, and high-performance teams, working with a diverse range of clients, including executives, entrepreneurs, scientists, and musicians. He is also a popular keynote speaker, often using music examples to illustrate corporate principles, and teaches leadership at London Business School.
In addition to coaching and speaking, Bernhard is Program Director for a fellowship that helps scientists develop startups and has written the book “Be Your Own Manager,” which offers career advice for classical musicians. He is a guest lecturer at music institutions in Karlsruhe and Tokyo, focusing on career management and entrepreneurship. His work has earned him awards like the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins from Chile and the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art.
Bernhard’s innovative approach to team collaboration incorporates music into coaching, promoting harmony and alignment among team members, making him an exceptional coach across various industries.
