Case Study: EcoOnline CFO Esben – Security and Specialist Expertise in Global Change

Interim solutions drive global unity

Esben leads a financial team of 60 employees, whose structure is partly built through around ten acquisitions over a decade. The primary leadership challenge is to unify these entities, harmonize local accounting rules and cultures, while simultaneously driving centralization for increased efficiency.

“Building a unified culture and strategy is difficult when you have different local accounting rules and cultures to navigate. We must centralize for efficiency, but it must never come at the expense of understanding the local reality,” Esben explains. “It’s about building a multifaceted team and making sure everyone understands the common goal and where we are heading.”

Interim solutions became critical, not just to cover acute gaps, but to bring in senior resources capable of driving change. Esben gives an example involving an interim Head of Operations role in the USA:

“Our Head of Operations in Texas left us with only two weeks’ notice. We needed a qualified person on the ground – fast, within a week. Interim Search delivered and solved the acute problem, which ultimately developed into more than just coverage. It became a strategic development project.”

Interim Management: A strategic tool for complex projects

Esben’s experience shows that Interim Management is best suited when specialist expertise is needed for projects that lie outside of day-to-day operations. The interim consultants have, in his case, acted as catalysts for strategic change, for example, in upgrading procurement processes and implementing more inclusive corporate cultures.

“In my role, I see Interim Management as a valuable resource during system changes, strategic reorganizations, and when a key person leaves. You can quickly bring in candidates with the exact specialist competence you lack for a range of different needs.”

He continues: “We needed a highly qualified person who could integrate smoothly, but who could also help implement a more inclusive culture and ensure everyone in the company understood the goal. It is precisely in such situations that the interim solution provides us with the senior resource capable of driving change forward.”

Security in recurring partnerships

For a Group CFO with global responsibility, the security of being able to act quickly and knowing that you will receive the highest quality is a major competitive advantage. Esben’s repeated collaborations with Interim Search have established a trusting partnership.

“It’s about finding a simple solution to a complex international problem. When we have an acute need or need to drive a major change, I know I can call and quickly get a qualified person. That security, and knowing they understand our global needs, is invaluable.”

The recurring collaboration has established long-term trust that provides Esben with operational security. This security is based on the fact that senior and qualified expertise can be secured immediately, regardless of whether the need arises in the Nordics or the USA. Furthermore, the temporary resource effectively takes responsibility for complex projects, such as large-scale IT system changes, which frees up time and strategic focus for the permanent management team.

Esben predicts that Interim Management will continue to develop strongly:

“I believe we will see a clear trend where Interim Management becomes an integrated part of future leadership. It is a way to access the absolute highest competence exactly when you need it, without long commitment periods. It’s about being able to act flexibly, quickly, and with absolute quality – it is simply a necessity in a changing world.”