Karsten Willrodt - Co-Managing Director

Q: Where is Karsten based?

Karsten is based in Hamburg, Germany .

Q: What languages does Karsten speak?

Karsten speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Danish (Elementary), French (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Karsten have?

Karsten has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Karsten has worked in at least 15 different roles and for 15 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years . Note that Karsten may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Karsten's latest experience?

Karsten's most recent position is Co-Managing Director at InNuce Solutions GmbH .

Q: What companies has Karsten worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Karsten has worked for InNuce Solutions GmbH , Technology- and service companies , and SSH Schaden-Schnell-Hilfe GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Karsten most experienced in?

Karsten is most experienced in industries like Automotive , Professional Services , and Information Technology (IT) . Karsten also has some experience in Chemical , Construction , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas is Karsten most experienced in?

Karsten is most experienced in business areas like Marketing , Sales , and Research and Development (R&D) . Karsten also has some experience in Strategy and Planning , Product Development , and Information Technology (IT) .

Q: Which industries has Karsten worked in recently?

Karsten has recently worked in industries like Insurance , Automotive , and Energy .

Q: Which business areas has Karsten worked in recently?

Karsten has recently worked in business areas like Sales , Strategy and Planning , and Finance .

Recommended expert

Hamburg, Germany

Experience

Oct 2024 - Dec 2025

1 year 3 months

Germany

Co-Managing Director

InNuce Solutions GmbH

Successful post-merger integration
Strategic realignment
Revenue optimization
Solution developments with sales increase of over 20% in 2024 vs. 2023
Successful launch of a fleet software solution integrated into DKV Cockpit

Jan 2022 - Sep 2024

2 years 9 months

CXO, Managing Director and advisor in permanent and project roles

Technology- and service companies

Market entry strategy development for Germany/EU for an Asian mobility provider
Strategy development for the automotive claims market for a claims software provider
Definition and implementation of a commercial strategy for a PV systems provider
Planning and preparation for market entry in Germany for a battery technology provider
Strategic support for a commercial vehicle accessories startup
Advice and support for M&A projects in the mobility services sector for private equity firms

Jan 2019 - Dec 2021

3 years

Hamburg, Germany

Chief Executive Officer

SSH Schaden-Schnell-Hilfe GmbH

Turnaround and digital transformation of the business model
Stabilization and optimization of sales activities (win new / retain existing customers)
Implementation of IT and technology innovations including AI and remote solutions
Consolidation of finances (increase in earnings in 2019 vs. 2018 by over 1,000%)
Entrepreneurial solution to pandemic-related challenges

May 2015 - Dec 2018

3 years 8 months

Hamburg, Germany

Chief Marketing Officer

Nexinto GmbH

Sale of Nexinto Holding from Lloyds Development Capital to BC Partners and PlusServer (December 2017)
Recognized as Germany's IT/B2B company with the highest customer focus in 2015, 2016, and 2017
Implementation of sales measures and e-commerce solution for XaaS offerings, lead-generating performance marketing (generated more than 300 qualified leads)
Brand positioning including definition of brand identity and mission statement, claim development, brand guide, and rollout of brand communication

Jul 2012 - Dec 2014

2 years 6 months

France

Group Head of Brand Experience

Europcar International

Led innovation and strategic OEM cooperation projects for new mobility and especially e-mobility offerings (e.g., Bolloré, Volkswagen, PSA)
Defined and implemented customer touchpoint management and CRM concept (NPS +20%, sales +5% with a 9% reduction in customer operations)
Restructured marketing and e-commerce activities

Dec 2011 - Jul 2012

8 months

Berlin, Germany

Head of Marketing

Mobility Media GmbH

Conception and development of offering, brand and marketing and PR/communication
Development of the brand and marketing of the car driver portal Drivelog with the acquisition of multiple 10,000 users
Development of partnerships with ADAC, among others

Sep 2010 - Dec 2011

1 year 4 months

Pullach, Germany

Head of Strategic Product Development

Sixt GmbH & Co. Autovermietung KG

Development and implementation of DriveNow car-sharing offering including joint venture with BMW, successfully launched on the market
Repositioning of flat-rate subscription offer Sixt CarAbo, increasing customer numbers to over 10,000
Restructuring of business customer sales and definition of CRM strategy and solution selection
Implementation of OEM and travel/tourism cooperations

Mar 2010 - Aug 2010

6 months

Hamburg, Germany

Manager Marketing, Customer Insight & CRM

Vestas Central Europe

Steering of sales and marketing planning and market research in Central Europe
Implementation of sales planning, conception and execution of CRM measures
Definition and implementation of marketing and cooperation activities

Dec 2008 - Feb 2010

1 year 3 months

Munich, Germany

Project Leader

Keylens Management Consultants AG

Repositioning of luxury travel brand and acquisition of sports car manufacturer as partner for travel club, achieving sustainable sales increases (+€10 million/a)
Restructuring of travel group brand portfolio
Definition and implementation of digital strategy for a building components manufacturer
Optimization of sales strategy and key account management for a beverage plant manufacturer
Definition and implementation of online marketing strategy for an insurance group
PR work including communications strategy, publications and events

Apr 2007 - Dec 2008

1 year 9 months

Pullach, Germany

Head of Marketing

Sixt GmbH & Co. Autovermietung KG

Definition and implementation of product innovations including Sixt CarAbo, Sixt Luxury Cars, Sixt Car Club and digital projects at Sixt eVentures
Leading online marketing with SEA/SEO, display and affiliate marketing and web analytics, increasing booking figures by over 50% and reducing CpO by 40%
Implementation of first mobile app and management of website launch and relaunch projects
Steering marketing communications, advertising and PR work with Effie and BDOA award-winning campaigns
Customer insight management with automated NPS tracking and systematic operations and customer management
Implementation of strategic cooperations with OEM, travel and media partners

May 2005 - Mar 2007

1 year 11 months

Liechtenstein

Project Manager Strategic Marketing/Brand Management & Corporate Market Research

Hilti Corporation

Management of projects for the definition and implementation of corporate, sales and marketing strategies
Member of the Hilti “Strategy2015” team responsible for sales and marketing strategies
Analyses-based recommendations for the entire business model and strategy for emerging markets
Implementation of KPI-based measures to increase brand strength and customer satisfaction and loyalty
Margin contribution-based management of offer components

Jun 2003 - Apr 2005

1 year 11 months

Darmstadt, Germany

Research Associate/PhD-Fellowship Accenture

Darmstadt University of Technology

Preparation of doctoral thesis “Brand competence – concept and empirical analysis in the industrial goods sector” (PhD, summa cum laude)
Support, supervision and implementation of teaching and research
Processing tenders, winning and managing third-party funded projects

Sep 2001 - Nov 2004

3 years 3 months

Kronberg, Germany

Consultant (Analyst) in Market Unit Products

Accenture GmbH

Project work and sub-project lead on innovation and CRM strategies in automotive, financial services, aviation, retail, building/construction and engineering sectors
Innovation roadmap and efficiency enhancement of IT landscape for a retail company
Definition of CRM strategy for an automotive manufacturer
Optimized sales planning for a building materials supplier
M&A and post-merger integration of IT unit for an aviation company
Various IT strategy and solution provider selection projects
Marketing and PR communications work including the “Brand Germany” campaign and DACH adaptation of global topics

Oct 2000 - Aug 2011

10 years 11 months

Frankfurt, Germany

Freelancer, Diploma Thesis

Forrester Research Europe

Jan 2000 - Dec 2000

1 year

Frankfurt, Germany

Internship, Part-time employee Lufthansa Passage, Sales Steering and Communications

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

Jul 1993 - Jun 2000

7 years

Ludwigshafen, Germany

Freelancer Communication Research, PR/Corporate Communications

BASF AG

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Automotive (13 years), Professional Services (11 years), Information Technology (8 years), Chemical (7 years), Construction (6 years), and Manufacturing (5 years).

Automotive

Professional Services

Information Technology

Chemical

Construction

Manufacturing

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Marketing (26.5 years), Sales (17.5 years), Research and Development (11 years), Strategy (10 years), Product Development (9.5 years), and Information Technology (7.5 years).

Marketing

Sales

Research and Development

Strategy

Product Development

Information Technology

Summary

Entrepreneurial senior leader with comprehensive expertise in the development and implementation of profitable growth and commercial excellence in IT and financial services sectors

Skills

Over 30 Years Of Professional Experience, Including Over 15 Years In Management Roles With A Focus On It (Saas, Cloud Services, Professional Services) And Financial Services (Automotive Claim/damage Management, Payment, Insurance, Insurtech, Leasing)
Functions/topics: General Management, Transformation, Turnaround Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Post-merger Integration, Growth, Commercial Excellence, Business Planning, Finance And Controlling, Sales Strategy And Execution, Customer Success Management, Business Development, Go-to-market Management, Innovation And Product Management, Digital Marketing, Crm, Customer Experience Management, Operations
Increases In Earnings And Sales: Increased Efficiency (Earnings By Over 1,000% Compared To The Previous Year) And Growth (Sales +20% Compared To The Previous Year) By Realigning Strategy, Through Product And Process Innovations And Improving Sales Efficiency
Mergers And Post-merger Integration: Preparation And Implementation Of Successful Transactions And Management Of Integration Processes To Achieve Sales And Product Development Targets
Strategy Definition And Implementation: Data-driven Development And Implementation Of Sustainable Corporate And Product Strategies With Sound Revenue Models
Product And Service Development And Market Launch: Multiple Designs And Rollouts Of Successful Go-to-market Strategies For Profitable Innovations
Sales & Marketing: Brand Development And Positioning, Definition And Implementation Of Efficient Marketing Strategies And Measures (Online Marketing: Sales Increase Of Over 50% With A 40% Reduction In Cpo, Customer Management: Increase In Nps Of Over 20%, Increase In Sales Of Over 5%, Reduction In Customer Operations Costs Of 9%)

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Danish

Elementary

French

Elementary

Education

Jun 2003 - Aug 2004

Darmstadt University of Technology, Chair of Technology Management & Marketing

Ph.D. in Business Administration and Economics · Darmstadt, Germany

Oct 1996 - Mar 2001

Darmstadt University of Technology

Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Management · Industrial Engineering and Management · Darmstadt, Germany

Apr 1994 - Aug 1995

Mannheim University

Business Administration · Mannheim, Germany

...and 2 more

Profile

Created

January 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Karsten based?

Karsten is based in Hamburg, Germany.

What languages does Karsten speak?

Karsten speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Danish (Elementary), French (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Karsten have?

Karsten has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Karsten has worked in at least 15 different roles and for 15 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years. Note that Karsten may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Karsten be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Karsten would be well-suited for roles such as: Co-Managing Director, CXO, Managing Director and advisor in permanent and project roles, Chief Executive Officer.

What is Karsten's latest experience?

Karsten's most recent position is Co-Managing Director at InNuce Solutions GmbH.

What companies has Karsten worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Karsten has worked for InNuce Solutions GmbH, Technology- and service companies, and SSH Schaden-Schnell-Hilfe GmbH.

Which industries is Karsten most experienced in?

Karsten is most experienced in industries like Automotive, Professional Services, and Information Technology (IT). Karsten also has some experience in Chemical, Construction, and Manufacturing.

Which business areas is Karsten most experienced in?

Karsten is most experienced in business areas like Marketing, Sales, and Research and Development (R&D). Karsten also has some experience in Strategy and Planning, Product Development, and Information Technology (IT).

Which industries has Karsten worked in recently?

Karsten has recently worked in industries like Insurance, Automotive, and Energy.

Which business areas has Karsten worked in recently?

Karsten has recently worked in business areas like Sales, Strategy and Planning, and Finance.

What is Karsten's education?

Karsten holds a Doctorate from Darmstadt University of Technology, Chair of Technology Management & Marketing and a Master in Industrial Engineering and Management from Darmstadt University of Technology.

What is the availability of Karsten?

Karsten is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Karsten?

Karsten's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.