Julian Knudsen
Finance Lead / CFO
Zürich,ZH
Summary
Finance professional prepared for leadership in financial management. Proven record of optimizing financial processes, budgeting, and strategic planning. Strong focus on team collaboration and adaptability, ensuring reliable and results-driven performance. Skilled in financial analysis, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Known for integrity, problem-solving, and effective communication.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Finance Lead/Deputy CFO | Direct Report to CEO/CFO | Interim
Ten23 health AG
01.2021 - 01.2025
- I joined Ten23 Health (formerly Swissfillon AG) after being acquired by 3i, a Private Equity fund (ca. £32bn) where I was leading the Post-Merger / Finance Integration into 3i and Ten23 Health incl. participation in Board meetings, and where the following critical business tasks were in focus:
- Acting as Business Partner and Finance Integration Lead with 3i and Ten23 Health which required introduction of new Business and Financial reporting/planning cycle as well as short term improvements of current ERP systems and later implementation of new ERP.
- Finance Project Lead on €100m CAPEX Project.
- Leading the financial planning and controlling function, providing strategic guidance and financial insights to the executive team including P/L ownership.
- Overseeing all financial aspects of Ten23 Health incl. monthly closing, reporting, accounting, fundraising, financing (leasing) and Cash Flow Management as well as audit and tax.
- Collaborated with 3i and key management in defining and implementing Business Strategies to efficiently maximising timelines, budgets and resources/funding.
Finance and Strategy Advisor | Freelance/Contractor
Heliovis AG
01.2020 - 01.2021
- In connection with Filsom, I was retained by Heliovis AG (a cleantech start-up) in Austria with respect to a €25m equity capital increase. This 12 month assignment included the following:
- Advise on structure of Teaser/Pitch and Confidential IM incl. conducting financial modelling.
- Prepare the company for a virtual due diligence exercise by setting up DataRoom.
- Coordinate Q&A sessions and attending Management Presentations.
CFO | Start-Up | Direct Report to CEO | Project Assignment
Filsom AG
01.2017 - 01.2020
- I joined Filsom AG which was a mature cleantech start-up company that has developed a new type of Solar technology. As a part of the scaling up of Filsom I was hired to restructure Finance and later HR and Procurement as well as leading fundraising for the scale up. Participated in quarterly Board Meetings throughout my assignment with Filsom AG.
- Collaborated with Tata Group (Major Investor) and Key Management in defining finance strategies and implementing new business and finance reporting which included assessment of Production and Operational KPIs as well as ERP improvements.
- Overseeing all financial aspects including accounting, controlling, monthly reporting, liquidity planning, risk management etc.
- Responsible for FP&A and Controlling driving financial insights and recommendations.
- Leading fundraising incl. creating financial model with valuation KPIs, strategy assessment and financing of scaling up plans (€50m CAPEX).
- Leading Audit incl. participation in quarterly Board Meetings as well as leading corporate and legal activities incl. managing relationship with banks and stakeholders/investors.
- Steering Committee member of the scaling up project with a new €50m factory being constructed in Hungary which also included meetings with Investment Aid office within the Hungarian government.
Time-Off / Freelance Finance and Strategy Advisor
Freelance
01.2015 - 01.2017
- After the conclusion of the sale/refinancing of Selecta AG I decided to take some time off and spend a prolonged time in Denmark due to personal/family reasons (illness). However, I as well worked as a Freelance/Consultant for various start-ups in Spain and Denmark which included:
- Develop business plans/models and identify KPIs.
- Setup accounting and finance processes and defining / performing monthly reporting.
- Installation of ERP/POS solutions.
Group Financial Controller/Deputy Group CFO | Direct Report to Group CEO and Group CFO
Selecta AG
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Main task during my assignment with Selecta AG was the Workstream Leader of Business Plans and Prospectus (in corporation with consultants) in connection with sale of the entire business. The sale was successfully concluded in 2014. Participated in quarterly Audit Committee Meetings as well as participated in Board Meetings when requested.
- Acting as Business Partner between Alliance Capital Partners and Selecta Board Management including responsible for all financial reporting.
- Functioning as Deputy CFO with 8 direct reports as well as responsible for Regional CFO’s.
- Leading Group FP&A, Group monthly reporting/accounting, budgeting & planning processes (20 countries).
- Leading Group Audit incl. participation in Audit Committee Meetings.
- Responsible for the execution of financial strategies including tracking benefits and synergies.
- Developed and implemented budgeting and forecasting processes resulting in improved accuracy and cost control including implementation of KPI’s across the Group.
- Managing “Project Lean” - a cost cutting exercise across the Group.
Education
Certification - Leadership and Conflict Mgmt.
01.2025
No Degree -
CFI
Course - Lean Management
01.2008
Certified Controller - undefined
CIMA
01.2006
Diploma - Finance
CBS
01.2006
Skills
Financial Strategy & Planning
Interests
Cooking, Tennis, Football, Literature
GAAPS
- Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) (3 year’s experience)
- Swiss GAAP FER (+ 5 year’s exp.)
- US GAAP (basic)
- IFRS (+10 year’s experience)
OTHER EXPERIENCES
- Various Organisations | London, Copenhagen, Zürich | 2000 – 2010
- The Nuance Group | Group Financial Controller/Deputy CFO Europe | Switzerland
- Integration of 12 countries into finance & controlling
- Improvements of reporting structure and systems
- Audit Lead
- Participation in BoD and Management
- Novasol AS | Group Financial Controller | Copenhagen-DK, London-GB (5 year’s)
- AP Accountants | Auditor | Denmark (3 year’s)
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Danish
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Advanced (C1)
Italian
Beginner (A1)
Software
Abacus
Cognos
Dynamics365
MS Office
Timeline
Finance Lead/Deputy CFO | Direct Report to CEO/CFO | Interim
Ten23 health AG
01.2021 - 01.2025
Finance and Strategy Advisor | Freelance/Contractor
Heliovis AG
01.2020 - 01.2021
CFO | Start-Up | Direct Report to CEO | Project Assignment
Filsom AG
01.2017 - 01.2020
Time-Off / Freelance Finance and Strategy Advisor
Freelance
01.2015 - 01.2017
Group Financial Controller/Deputy Group CFO | Direct Report to Group CEO and Group CFO
Selecta AG
01.2010 - 01.2015
No Degree -
CFI
Course - Lean Management
Certified Controller - undefined
CIMA
Diploma - Finance
CBS