Beyond the Balanced Sheet: Insights from Viktor Leendertz

In the ever-evolving world of corporate finance and strategy, few roles demand as broad a scope as that of a Group CFO. At Jebsen & Jessen this means not only steering the Group’s financial health but also overseeing legal, audit, IT and other critical functions that keep the organisation agile and future-ready. The Mackerel has caught up with Group CFO Viktor Leendertz ahead of the CXO Townhall Meeting he is fronting in Oct 2025.

Q: What qualities do you consider essential to effectively lead such diverse areas of operations?

A: We are here to support the business and deliver excellent service, creating synergies for the Group. Against this background, managing such diverse areas requires financial acumen, strategic thinking, strong interpersonal and communication skills, adaptability to rapidly changing business landscapes and regulatory frameworks, as well as problem-solving skills.

Q: How do you maintain focus and composure when managing multiple tasks?

A: This is only possible with an excellent and experienced team leading the various functions. We work closely together, setting priorities and schedules, and managing the expectations of our stakeholders, whom we support. In addition, we have colleagues in the business units, such as controllers as well as financial planners and analysts, who are informed about and aligned with the Group’s initiatives. This ensures that we do not deviate from strategic priorities and always keep the diversity and requirements of our businesses in mind.

Q: If you had the chance to offer advice to your 30-year-old self, what would you say?

A: When it comes to the goal of career advancement, I’d like to mention three things that have guided me throughout my career: First, don’t be afraid of challenges; embrace them, learn from experiences, and learn from mistakes. This will ultimately earn you the recognition of colleagues and management. Second, don’t avoid conflicts; remain pragmatic and solution-oriented, and keep your emotions in check—there’s no harm in saying “no” to things you don’t believe in or that you think are wrong. Third, don’t think you can do everything alone; working in a team and leveraging the expertise and experience of colleagues significantly increases your chances of success—and what could be better than celebrating success together instead of alone?

Q: In today’s volatile financial environment, what financial impacts do you foresee for the Group, and what approaches do you consider essential for navigating these challenges?

A: One of these challenges is the currency risk to which we are exposed – not only us, but all holding companies headquartered in countries with strong currencies, such as Singapore and Switzerland, and with significant investments in multiple countries. This risk results from negative translation differences resulting from a change in the value of the net assets of foreign subsidiaries on the consolidated balance sheet – we refer to this as diminutions. Our recent major acquisitions have significantly increased our currency basket and thus the associated risk. It can be addressed by reducing the equity of subsidiaries, where possible, through dividend payments or borrowing in the local currency of the respective country to hedge the local balance sheet. These measures are important, but they do not eliminate the risk. The remaining risk is the cost of investing in multiple jurisdictions, and these costs must be covered by the Group’s earnings.

Q: What role do you believe AI will play in transforming the finance landscape?

A: AI is set to impact various aspects including operational efficiency, decision making and financial management. In Jebsen & Jessen we are at the very beginning of exploring applications for AI, but areas where I see potential use are budgeting and forecasting, reporting, transactional processes within our HUB as well as in compliance and audit. We have decided that the driver for such initiatives lies within the business units. Training and development or hiring of expert resources is essential.

Q: Who serves as a primary source of inspiration to you?

A: There isn’t one single person who has inspired me for my career. However, I’m most inspired by people who live their values and consistently work toward a long-term vision. And when I’m surrounded by colleagues who find common ground in this, I’m highly motivated to continue on my path and make my contribution. Jebsen & Jessen is a great example of this.