Leadership
Selected Leaders In Our Meritocracy
Dr. Maximilian Apel
Group CEO
Dr. Apel operates at the intersection of history and technology, building an independent European defence-capability enabler. Previously, he was at BCG. He graduated from Bucerius Law School, holds both German state examinations in law, and earned a doctorate with a thesis on the nexus of national-security oversight and corporate autonomy in critical-infrastructure companies. Maximilian invests selectively in deep-tech ventures.
Dr. Apel operates at the intersection of history and technology, building an independent European defence-capability enabler. Previously, he was at BCG. He graduated from Bucerius Law School, holds both German state examinations in law, and earned a doctorate with a thesis on the nexus of national-security oversight and corporate autonomy in critical-infrastructure companies. Maximilian invests selectively in deep-tech ventures.
Mr. Horst Rieder
Horst Rieder is Group CFO and Managing Director of Buoyancy Technologies. He started his career in 1992 in the Mannesmann Group and joined Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in 2000. After several senior functions in finance, controlling and M&A, negotiating all acquisitions of KMW through to 2024, he was appointed Group CFO of KNDS Deutschland. In this function, he led for the German owner the merger of KMW Group and the French Nexter Group and founded the KNDS Holding in Amsterdam. Horst holds a diploma in economics from the University of Regensburg.
Horst Rieder is Group CFO and Managing Director of Buoyancy Technologies. He started his career in 1992 in the Mannesmann Group and joined Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in 2000. After several senior functions in finance, controlling and M&A, negotiating all acquisitions of KMW through to 2024, he was appointed Group CFO of KNDS Deutschland. In this function, he led for the German owner the merger of KMW Group and the French Nexter Group and founded the KNDS Holding in Amsterdam. Horst holds a diploma in economics from the University of Regensburg.
Dr. Deepak Asokan
Deepak leads Buoyancy Aerospace V1 Ltd as Managing Director and the Buoyancy Technologies operations, building the backbone of Europe’s sovereign aerospace and defence capability. He operates at the intersection of manufacturing and technology, driving digital transformation through AI, integrated work systems, and ERP. Previously, he held leadership positions at BAT and Fonterra. He earned a PhD in Business and Management at Alliance Manchester Business School with high-impact research on digitalisation and socially responsible supply chains.
Mr. Philipp Verhoeven
Managing Director, BUOYANCY AEROSPACE DE GmbH
Mr. Andreas Krohn
Head of IT and Information Security
Andreas architects the digital foundation powering Buoyancy Technologies’ aerospace and defense operations. Combining a mechanical engineering background from the Technical Universtiy of Munich with enterprise cloud strategy, he bridges the critical gap between IT and active operational technology. His mandate extends beyond traditional infrastructure; he designs resilient, automation-first operating models anchored in rigorous compliance. By embedding defense-grade security and scalable architecture, Andreas ensures Buoyancy’s multi-site capabilities scale with uncompromising precision, security, and speed.
Mr. Christopher Werner
Head of Engineering Germany
Christopher leads engineering and operations at the German production site. He plays a key role in fostering the creation of a shared standard and innovation across the group. Christopher has held leadership positions in technical excellence and business growth. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. specialised in Aeronautical Engineering and brings over 15 years of professional experience to his role.
Christopher leads engineering and operations at the German production site. He plays a key role in fostering the creation of a shared standard and innovation across the group. Christopher has held leadership positions in technical excellence and business growth. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. specialised in Aeronautical Engineering and brings over 15 years of professional experience to his role.
Mr. Simon Heap
Senior Engineer UK
Mr. Daniel Hutta
Head of Quality & Compliance UK
Daniel heads the Quality, HSE, Compliance and Environmental function at Buoyancy Technologies. With over two decades of international leadership, he has built and led quality and engineering systems across aerospace, defence, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. At Apple, Flex and Music Tribe, Daniel worked at the intersection of R&D and advanced manufacturing, guiding products from concept to scale. At Buoyancy Technologies, his mission is to align rigorous standards with innovation and enabling teams to deliver systems that are safe, scalable, and future ready.
Daniel heads the Quality, HSE, Compliance and Environmental function at Buoyancy Technologies. With over two decades of international leadership, he has built and led quality and engineering systems across aerospace, defence, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. At Apple, Flex and Music Tribe, Daniel worked at the intersection of R&D and advanced manufacturing, guiding products from concept to scale. At Buoyancy Technologies, his mission is to align rigorous standards with innovation and enabling teams to deliver systems that are safe, scalable, and future ready.
