MET Group motivates young talents to go the extra mile

Benjamin Lakatos, MET Group’s Executive Chairman – who initiated the company 19 years ago – believes that MET’s growth story is based on the expertise and exceptional talent of its employees. The Talent Development Programme (TDP) was established in 2017, with the aim of finding young and ambitious colleagues who have the potential to grow into mid-managerial and later into senior management positions at MET within five years of graduating from the TDP.

Pavel Balada started as an intern at MET Holding in 2015. He worked on strategic projects from the beginning, including market entries in Spain, followed by Italy, Germany, and Turkey. Pavel was then tasked with developing MET’s subsidiary in his home country, the Czech Republic, and was appointed as the CEO of MET Česká republika.

“The Talent Development Programme gave me the opportunity to stop cutting the wood and look at the forest – and to see myself in the bigger picture,” recalls Pavel. The TDP also enabled him to understand his strengths and areas for development.

TDP is a special two-year programme which offers several advantages, including the opportunity to work closely with experienced top managers – learning directly from them – develop leadership skills, and build an extensive professional network. So far, 19 current MET employees have graduated from the programme, representing eight nationalities in total. Three of these graduates have since become CEOs of MET subsidiaries.

“Lots of talented people work at MET Group, but the TDP gives you the chance to say: I want more,” explains Ana-Maria Manole, PMO (Project Management Office) Manager working for MET’s Sales & Trading Segment, based in the Baar headquarters in Switzerland. “Going the extra mile means that you are not comfortable where you are, and that you want to take more responsibility or challenge yourself in a new role. Sometimes it means raising your hand for new responsibilities, even when the path is not fully clear.”

“The global atmosphere gives you the feeling that you can grow in any direction”

Ana-Maria’s journey at MET began in the Milan office in 2020, where she worked as Professional Assistant to the CEO of MET Energia Italia – she was later promoted to Head of Marketing and Digital Sales. She moved to the Swiss headquarters in 2023. As Subsidiary Manager, she was responsible for coordinating MET subsidiaries in Western Europe and aligning them with the Group’s strategy.

At the beginning of 2026, Ana-Maria was promoted to the PMO Manager role, where she supports stronger project governance across the Sales & Trading Segment, aiming for clear and effective delivery of strategic initiatives. Ana-Maria builds on thoughtful planning and steady execution – perspectives shaped during the Talent Development Programme.

At MET Group, young talents are given a high degree of autonomy. They are encouraged to develop their own ideas and present them to their line managers, and eventually, the Group CEO. “When I started as an intern, my age was not an obstacle. It has always been an important part of MET’s identity to support young talent. In fact, we have several younger colleagues in top management positions,” says Pavel Balada.

A Swiss-based multinational with a truly global atmosphere: this is how Ana-Maria Manole sees MET. “You hear many languages spoken, and you work with colleagues from very different backgrounds. That global atmosphere gives you the feeling that you can grow in any direction.” She believes this environment is especially empowering for young talents, who are given the space to contribute real value early on. Reflecting on her journey, the PMO Manager says: “Being good at your job is essential, but visibility matters too – showing what you stand for, what you can bring, and where you want to go. MET gives you the agency to do that.”