Thomas Zarth
Principal – Self-employed / Strategy & Corporate Finance
Experience
Dec 2024 - Present
8 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Principal – Self-employed / Strategy & Corporate Finance
Leverage Experts AG
- Acquisition, closing and delivery of consulting projects
- Treasury, business controlling, corporate finance, accounting, M&A, corporate sustainability, ESG, turnaround management
Jan 2022 - Present
3 years 7 monthsManagement Consulting
Freelancer
- Platform setup
- Interim management, ESG and finance topics, business controlling for project companies, transactions and treasury activities, crisis prevention / crisis management
Nov 2021 - Jan 2022
3 monthsZug, Switzerland
Participant in CAS Turnaround Management (project work)
Institut für Finanzdienstleistungen Zug, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Business Department
- Project: The company checklist as a tool to manage acute crises
- ~60 pages plus appendices
- Comparison of crisis management in aviation, healthcare and disaster management
- Applying crisis management methods from other fields to corporate environment
- Developed crisis checklists for liquidity management, balance sheet management, profit optimization, divestments, shutdowns, investments, crisis organization
- Project language: German
- Individual work with corporate practice and CAS course knowledge
- Outcome: Completed successfully within deadline; requirement for CAS certificate at Lucerne UAS
Feb 2020 - Dec 2021
1 year 11 monthsCareer Break / Further Education / Job Search
- Participated in the SECO program for highly qualified professionals (coaching, training, project work)
- Restructuring and turnaround of companies (Lucerne UAS)
May 2018 - Nov 2018
7 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Senior Controller
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- Project: Developed a forecast model to monitor social and environmental investment activities (SEI projects)
- Reported directly to CFO
- Tracked SEI projects in Albania, Greece and Italy
- Grew from 10–15 projects to over 200
- Investment volume ~EUR 100 M
- Project language: English
- Team: finance department, access & stakeholder management, environmental performance
- Outcome: Completed on time; basis for project financing with EIB and EBRD
May 2015 - Dec 2015
8 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Project Coordinator
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- Project: 20% equity transfer to bring in new shareholders
- Volume ~EUR 100 M
- Reported to Managing Director
- Built and maintained electronic data room
- Management presentations
- Q&A sessions and closing process
- Project language: English
- Team: shareholders’ reps, M&A advisor, lawyers, TAP AG departments, top management
- Outcome: Completed on time; special bonus for outstanding coordination
Feb 2015 - Jan 2020
5 yearsBaar, Switzerland
Senior Controller
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- International gas pipeline project in Southern Europe (completed 2020)
- Investment >EUR 4 B
- Gas Project of the Year – Gastech Awards 2021, Dubai
- Planning, monitoring and controlling all financial resources for several divisions (~EUR 300 M)
- Land acquisition and usage rights (~23,000 plots)
- Construction permits
- Stakeholder management and SEI projects (~200)
- Compliance with environmental and social standards
- Commercial management, building political relations
- Handled all commercial matters to support division director
- Established management structures and budget control
- Tracked and processed investment and procurement requests
Jun 2014 - Mar 2015
10 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Management Project Coordinator
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- Project: Set up new country offices in Albania and Greece for construction phase
- Volume ~EUR 500,000
- Reported to Managing Director
- Site selection process
- Negotiated with property owners
- Coordinated layout planning
- Oversaw and approved fit-out works
- Project language: English
- Team: office management, procurement, brokers, architects, top management
- Outcome: Completed on time; ready offices before construction start
Apr 2013 - Jan 2015
1 year 10 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Advisor to the Managing Director
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- International gas pipeline project in Southern Europe (completed 2020)
- Investment >EUR 4 B
- Gas Project of the Year – Gastech Awards 2021, Dubai
- Commercial support for MD and a new division
- Strategic advice on corporate governance
- Secured financing and shareholder transition during critical phase
- Secretary for Funding Committee (management / funding partners)
- Prepared key strategic projects for implementation
May 2012 - Dec 2012
8 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Steering Committee Member
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- Project: Selected and implemented ERP system (SAP FI/CO) as standalone finance platform
- Volume ~EUR 250,000
- ERP selection process
- Defined org structure and processes
- Approved milestones
- Oversaw implementation phase
- Languages: German, English
- Team: TAP AG finance, shareholders, external consultants, IT
- Outcome: Completed on time, switched functional currency to EUR
Apr 2012 - Mar 2013
1 yearBaar, Switzerland
Head of Finance / Risk & Finance Manager
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- International gas pipeline project in Southern Europe (completed 2020)
- Investment >EUR 4 B
- Gas Project of the Year – Gastech Awards 2021, Dubai
- Led 5 direct reports
- Finance / treasury / risk management / controlling
- Due diligence for new shareholders
May 2010 - Mar 2012
1 year 11 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Commercial / Finance Director
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- International gas pipeline project in Southern Europe (completed 2020)
- Investment >EUR 4 B
- Gas Project of the Year – Gastech Awards 2021, Dubai
- Led 7 direct and 5 indirect reports
- Finance (controlling, accounting, treasury, tax)
- Commercial (tariff setting and gas transport contract)
- Procurement (service providers, strategy, internal handling)
- Prepared for project financing
- Budget forecasts to sanctioning
- Revised international tax model
- Achievements:
- Preselected by Shah Deniz II consortium for southern route Feb 2012
- Audited financial statements 2010–2011
- Budget compliance within tolerances
Nov 2008 - Apr 2010
1 year 6 monthsBaar, Switzerland
Finance Manager
Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG
- International gas pipeline project in Southern Europe (completed 2020)
- Investment >EUR 4 B
- Gas Project of the Year – Gastech Awards 2021, Dubai
- Led 3 direct reports
- Expanded finance department in startup phase
- Accounting under IFRS and Swiss law
- Financing with shareholder loans and equity
- Active cash management in 4 currencies
- Implemented finance compliance processes (ICS)
- Prepared for project financing
- Achievements:
- Built new reporting system (scorecard)
- Ensured accounting services in country branches
- Integrated sister company prepayments
- Audited financial statements 2008–2009
- Participated in due diligence for new energy shareholder
Jan 2007 - Oct 2008
1 year 10 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Financial Manager European Projects
Alcan Group of Companies
- Global leader in aluminum with 65,000 employees
- USD 23 B revenue (acquired by Rio Tinto 2007)
- ~EUR 9 B revenue, 200 companies
- Supported sale of downstream business in Europe
- Due diligence (treasury data room, Q&A)
- Calculated sale impact on European holding companies
Nov 2006 - Jul 2007
9 monthsVlissingen, Netherlands
CFO & Local Project Coordinator
Alcan Group of Companies
- Project: Supported sale of aluminum smelter in the Netherlands
- Volume ~EUR 500 M revenue, ~700 employees
- Reported to MD and M&A
- Sale to private equity
- Built and managed electronic data room
- Cash forecasting and financial planning
- Management presentations
- Responded to inquiries and closing
- Language: English
- Team: plant management, M&A, finance HQ, potential buyers, legal
- Outcome: Completed on time; site preserved in weak region
Sep 2006 - Jul 2007
11 monthsVlissingen, Netherlands
Financial Director
Alcan Group of Companies
- Global leader in aluminum with 65,000 employees
- USD 23 B revenue (acquired by Rio Tinto 2007)
- Primary aluminum production EUR 500 M revenue, ~700 employees
- Led 11 (direct/indirect)
- Accounting, controlling, treasury, IT, tax
- Raw material procurement EUR 100 M p.a.
Jun 2004 - Dec 2006
2 years 7 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Manager Corporate Finance Europe
Alcan Group of Companies
- Global leader in aluminum with 65,000 employees
- USD 23 B revenue (acquired by Rio Tinto 2007)
- ~150 plants in Europe; EUR 8.5 B p.a.
- External and internal financing (EUR 3 B)
- Launched commercial paper program (EUR 1 B)
- Novelis spin-off in Europe (EUR 6 B revenue)
- Merger integration of Pechiney (recapitalizations)
- Financing for greenfield projects in Russia/Eastern Europe
Jun 2002 - Dec 2003
1 year 7 monthsZürich, Switzerland
European Project Leader
Alcan Group of Companies
- Project: Selected and implemented a cash/treasury system (Quantum), replacing five regional systems
- Volume ~USD 2 M
- Reported to European Treasurer
- Follow-up to merger with Algroup
- Replaced internal bank model
- Reviewed market treasury systems
- Defined requirements and selection with Montreal treasury
- Implementation and training for European entities
- Language: English
- Team: treasury (Zurich, Montreal), IT, system vendors
- Outcome: Completed on time
Mar 2002 - Sep 2002
7 monthsZürich, Switzerland
European Treasury Project Manager
Alcan Group of Companies
- Project: Developed and implemented a global cash forecast system for ~100 business units
- Volume ~EUR 50,000
- Operational cash flow ~USD 1.6 B
- Reported to European Treasurer
- Used new database system
- Replaced consolidation of >100 Excel sheets
- Consolidated report in 30 sec vs six weeks
- Fed financing planning after merger
- Language: English
- Team: European treasury, Montreal HQ, developers, BU controllers
- Outcome: Completed on time
Nov 2000 - May 2004
3 years 7 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Manager European Treasury Projects
Alcan Group of Companies
- Global leader in aluminum with 65,000 employees
- USD 23 B revenue (acquired by Rio Tinto 2007)
- Restructured European treasury activities
- Managed FAS 133 implementation in Europe
Jun 1999 - Dec 2004
5 years 7 monthsEschborn, Germany
Assistant Treasurer & Treasury Service Manager
Alcan Group of Companies
- Global leader in aluminum with 65,000 employees
- USD 23 B revenue (acquired by Rio Tinto 2007)
- 6 plants in Germany; EUR 1.5 B revenue p.a.; ~5,000 employees
- (partly concurrent with Alcan Europe Treasury role)
- Led 3 staff
- Selected and implemented a cash/treasury system (Globe$)
- Responsible for cash and FX trading
- Liquidity and FX exposure planning, credit control
Apr 1997 - May 1999
2 years 2 monthsLüdenscheid, Germany
Head of Inside Sales
Alcan Deutschland GmbH
- Aluminum foils and products
- EUR 115 M revenue p.a., ~200 employees
- Domestic and export order processing
- Led 14 staff
- Developed key account management system
Jan 1995 - Mar 1997
2 years 3 monthsLüdenscheid, Germany
Head of Export Inside Sales
Alcan Deutschland GmbH
- Aluminum foils and products
- EUR 115 M revenue p.a., ~200 employees
Jul 1993 - Dec 1994
1 year 6 monthsLüdenscheid, Germany
Regional Sales Manager Export
Alcan Deutschland GmbH
- Aluminum foils and products
- EUR 115 M revenue p.a., ~200 employees
Jun 1991 - Jun 1993
2 years 1 monthLüdenscheid, Germany
Trainee Controlling / Finance
Alcan Deutschland GmbH
- Aluminum foils and products
- EUR 115 M revenue p.a., ~200 employees
Summary
Finance / Controlling yes, but holistically and business-oriented.
More than 25 years of international finance and controlling experience (energy, plant engineering, metal processing, packaging, corporate); Member of the European Economic Senate, [link]
Broad expertise and long experience in international finance
Building, leading and developing teams
Successful communication at all levels including board of directors
Commercial support function for top management
Operational and pragmatic management, “can-do” mentality
Business controlling, corporate/project finance in industry/energy sector
Industry treasury setup, joint venture treasury/project software
Accounting (Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS), M&A / due diligence, MS Office; ERP-SAP (FI/CO)
Procurement / commercial investment project management experience
Strong analytical skills
Pragmatic / willing to travel
Independent / structured
Reliability / loyalty
Entrepreneurial mindset
Optimism / flexibility
Built finance department for an international project joint venture
Organized M&A process for new shareholders – over 5 projects
Selected and implemented ERP systems (SAP) and treasury software
Languages
German
NativeEnglish
AdvancedFrench
Elementary Education
Apr 1983 - Jan 1991
Technical University of Berlin
Dipl.-Ing. · Industrial Engineering · Berlin, Germany
Certifications & licenses
Principles of Sustainable Finance
Coursera / Erasmus University Rotterdam
Turnaround Management of Companies
University of Lucerne
Financial Markets
Coursera / Yale University
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