Bernt Arpagaus
Interim Manager
Interim Manager
AF Schweiz GmbH
- Mandate to restructure a company in medical technology for X-ray devices
- Negotiations for damage management at a construction company (claims of 35 million)
- Recruiting bank staff in wealth management on a mandate for an established recruitment firm
- Managing the accounting of a temporary staffing company on a mandate
Head of Central Services / CFO, Member of Executive Board
WB Bürgin AG / WB Solar Partners AG
Responsible for finance, controlling, IT and HR
Introduced internal control system (ICS) and IT risk management
Financial planning and liquidity planning
Digitalized processes (finance, HR), damage management
Procurement and contract management
Support in sales negotiations
Built the photovoltaic company WB Solar Partners AG as CEO (5 people)
Achievements:**
Led the company out of a liquidity crisis. Took over active accounts receivable management
Structured and organized new bank financing
Centralized procurement and reduced purchasing costs by 15 %
Set up organization for R&D, controlling, procurement, logistics, IT, HR and admin
Increased headcount from 40 to 200 and recruited key positions
Legally optimized service contracts and reduced damage costs by approx. 3–4 million through negotiations
WB Solar Partners AG generated approx. 2 million revenue in year 2 with positive EBIT
Director, CEO
Glarner Kantonalbank
Member of the credit committee, board member of the Association of Cantonal Banks
Board member of Finnova AG (IT company for banking software)
Initiator and board member of KMU Finance plus (mezzanine financing) together with Otto Inneichen, Thurgau Cantonal Bank and Nidwalden Cantonal Bank
Led an entire bank (160 employees)
Achievements:**
Developed a new Cantonal Bank Act, new business organization and strategy with the bank council
Resolved legal cases from predecessors
Initiated, implemented and launched new bank-wide IT system Finnova in 9 months; reduced costs by 30 %
Trained sales team and actively supported advisors with clients
Improved profitability (gross profit tripled, cost-income ratio at 45 %, previously over 70 %)
Acquired a factoring company for SME clients
Acquired various commercial and private clients (focus on SMEs, Greater Zurich Area), commercial client growth of 25 %
Partner, Risk and Financial Management
Arthur Andersen
- Achievements:**
- Implemented operational risk management at banks
- Introduced enterprise-wide risk management for a retailer in Portugal
- Conducted and optimized treasury risk analysis for a Swiss airline
- Implemented enterprise-wide risk management for a global cement manufacturer
- Analyzed and optimized hedging strategy for an airline in Basel
Deputy Director, Head of World Class Finance and Risk Management
KPMG
- Achievements:**
- Rebuilt a team of 12 consultants in risk and financial management
- Set up new treasury for Infineon Group in Munich after spin-off from Siemens
- Successfully built new treasury for Wincor Nixdorf
- Analyzed and optimized risk processes for the aluminum division of a global raw materials group
- Conducted due diligence on a German aluminum group for a Swiss buyer with recommendations for the purchase decision
- Automated the closing process of a German publicly traded company (consolidated close worldwide 3 days after quarter end, sales 8 billion EUR)
Head of Finance, Deputy CFO, Head of Export Financing
Sulzer Rüti AG
- Managed finance, treasury and export financing department
- Supported global sales with innovative financing solutions and led contract negotiations
- Provided financing solutions for customers to purchase machinery
Senior Manager, Commercial Loans and Trade Finance, Syndications
Standard Chartered Bank
Head of International and Infrastructure Financing
ANZ Grindlays Bank
- Contact with government agencies, built up Chinese and Japanese client base
- Structured and financed infrastructure projects and export deals
Relationship Manager, Authorized Signatory, Commercial and Trade Finance Clients
ANZ Grindlays Bank
Apprentice, Letters of Credit, Foreign Loans
Schweizerische Kreditanstalt
- Apprenticeship, letters of credit processing for 12 months
- Foreign loans for companies and banks
Entrepreneurial type with extensive experience as CEO and CFO with deep financial knowledge and broad experience leading entire companies and specifically the finance function. I have experience in coaching, consulting as well as process and change management.
My special strengths are negotiation and contract management as well as good IT skills. I am familiar with various industries, especially construction, banking and machinery. I have also carried out several M&A transactions including the necessary due diligence.
I successfully built two startups during mandates and handed them over to management. I am result-oriented, analytical, proactive but also hands-on. I can put myself in the company’s clients’ shoes and bring new solutions to ensure the company’s success.
As a strategy consultant and in line roles I have proven my entrepreneurial skills. I enjoy working with people and can motivate them to deliver top performance.
Graduate School of Business Administration
Diploma in Business Economics · Zürich, Switzerland
Schweizerische Kreditanstalt
Banking Apprenticeship · Switzerland
Commercial School
Zürich, Switzerland
Similar Freelancers
Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience
