Fractional First

Private Equity Transformation Executive

CEO | Investor | Private Equity & Family Office Specialist | Transformation & Turnaround Expert

Central Europe

Description

This executive brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in private equity, corporate finance, and operational transformation. Combining institutional investment acumen with hands-on management, this professional excels at driving corporate turnarounds, sustainable value creation, and finance function transformations within family offices and private equity-backed enterprises. Rooted in disciplined leadership principles, this executive aligns shareholders, lenders, and management teams to navigate complex restructuring and growth opportunities across German-speaking markets. Deep sector expertise spans agriculture, food, and industrial manufacturing, complementing a strong financial and operational skill set.

Key Roles

  • •Co-developed and managed a multi-million euro special situations private debt fund, leading over a dozen complex financing transactions and workouts.
  • •Acquired and transformed a mid-market food wholesaler from insolvency, increasing gross margins substantially and deploying AI-driven operational efficiencies.
  • •Built and led finance functions for private equity-backed international industrial and agribusiness groups, managing multi-entity IFRS consolidation and treasury operations.
  • •Served as interim CFO and supervisory board member in multiple portfolio companies, stabilizing finance functions during shareholder disputes and refinancing efforts.
  • •Combines executive-level military discipline with advanced economic and corporate finance education to drive turnaround and growth strategies.

Meet Me

Hello, I’m a seasoned executive with over two decades of hands-on leadership and investment experience serving businesses facing complex ownership and operational challenges. My approach blends strategic financial structuring with pragmatic operational improvements to unlock long-term value, particularly in turnaround, transformation, and special situations. Rooted in disciplined leadership informed by early military training and enriched by deep sector expertise, I help organizations and stakeholders navigate uncertainty and achieve sustainable growth. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the philosophical aspects of management and responsibility.

Personas

Special Situations Investor & Fund Manager

  • •Co-developed and led a multi-million euro private debt fund focused on complex financing and restructuring within mid-market companies.
  • •Originated, structured, and executed numerous debt and equity investments, managing workout and recovery strategies across portfolios.
  • •Negotiated with investors, financial institutions, legal, and advisory professionals to ensure successful transaction execution.

Superpowers

Superpowers not available

Sweet Spot

Thrives where private equity investment, complex corporate finance, and operational leadership converge in transformation and special situations. This executive's unique blend of institutional fund management and CEO-level execution equips organizations to unlock sustainable growth and value creation amid challenging ownership and market conditions.

Functional Skills

Investment & Fund Management
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Private Debt & Special Situations Fundraising- Co-developed and launched a multi-million euro special situations fund, overseeing investor relations and capital deployment in complex mid-market transactions.
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Transaction Structuring & Execution- Led origination, due diligence, valuation, and negotiation of debt, equity, and equity-linked financing deals involving mid-sized enterprises.
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Portfolio Workout & Recovery- Managed and restructured sizeable middle-market debt portfolios, collaborating closely with creditor committees and legal advisors to preserve value.
Operational Finance Leadership
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Group Finance & Reporting Architecture- Built consolidated finance functions based on IFRS standards for private equity-backed industrial groups with multi-entity and multi-currency complexity.
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Cash, Working Capital & Treasury Management- Implemented liquidity management processes including cash pooling, foreign exchange hedging, credit line management, and factoring arrangements.
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Digital Finance Transformation- Transitioned internal finance operations to outsourced models and introduced AI-driven order processing to automate and optimize workflows.
Leadership & Governance
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Executive Management in Turnaround Situations- Led P&L management, strategic planning, and operational transformation as CEO and CFO in post-insolvency and high-pressure contexts.
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Supervisory & Advisory Board Roles- Represented shareholder interests in governance bodies ensuring transparent communication and balanced decision-making.
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Stakeholder and Investor Alignment- Facilitated collaboration among shareholders, lenders, management, and advisory teams to deliver complex restructurings and growth projects.

User Manual

This professional operates best when engaged on complex investment-driven transformation challenges requiring decisive leadership and clear financial insight. Prefers environments valuing disciplined execution anchored in strategic clarity and stakeholder collaboration. Trust, transparency, and open communication foster highest impact. Embraces technology-enabled innovation while grounding decisions in commercial pragmatism and long-term value creation.

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Education

  • •Advanced degree in economics with focus on corporate and public finance from a distinguished German university.

Focus Areas

Private Equity & Special SituationsCorporate Transformation & TurnaroundOperational Finance LeadershipM&A & Financial IntegrationWorking Capital & Cash Flow ManagementGovernance & Investor RelationsDigitalisation & AI-Enabled Process Automation

Industries

Agriculture & FoodIndustrial ManufacturingPrivate EquityWholesale & DistributionFamily Office Investments

Geographical Coverage

Central EuropeDACH RegionWider Europe

Stage

GrowthTurnaroundSpecial SituationsMature Private Equity Portfolio CompaniesFamily Office Long-Term Investments

Personal Interests

Economic PhilosophyLeadership ResponsibilitySustainable Business ModelsFinancial MarketsTechnology-Driven Transformation