Christoph Vavrik‘s career path is a fascinating blend of international diplomacy and high-level corporate leadership. With an impressive background, he has held Managing Director positions at Carlsberg and Danone, but his story is much deeper than the titles he has carried. He is an experienced executive, a former member of the Austrian Parliament, and a truly international person, both in his personal and professional life.
Born in Switzerland to a French/Austrian family, Christoph’s multicultural upbringing has been a constant throughout his life. Married to a Greek woman and speaking English at home, he has always navigated between different cultures and languages. His father’s diplomatic career meant that he grew up moving frequently, changing countries and schools half a dozen times during his childhood. This exposure to global environments set the stage for his later professional life.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Christoph initially pursued a diplomatic career, living and working in, among other places, Zambia, before transitioning into the corporate sector. Along the way, he achieved a double master’s degree in economics and international affairs, studying in Vienna, Bologna and Washington, D.C. Despite the natural pull toward diplomacy, influenced by his father’s career, he realized it wasn’t the right fit for him.
Why did you switch from diplomacy to a corporate career?
“Although diplomacy seemed like a noble career path, I found it wasn’t as fulfilling or challenging as I had imagined. A lot of the work involved logistical arrangements, such as booking hotels for visiting ministers, rather than actually engaging in international affairs. My role lacked the dynamism I was craving. During my time in the U.S., I became increasingly drawn to the private sector where I saw opportunities to make a tangible impact. The corporate world seemed like a better fit for me.”
This realization marked the beginning of Christoph’s transition from diplomacy to business. He joined Procter & Gamble in an international role, getting his first taste of the corporate world. After 15 years across 5 different locations, he moved to Danone, working in Romania, then Greece and Austria, vastly different markets, but ones that fed his love for international mobility.
“I’ve always been passionate about living in different countries. Every relocation is an adventure, both professionally and personally. It allows me to grow and adapt in ways that staying in one place never could”, Christoph says.
His career continued to flourish as he joined Carlsberg, where he worked in Myanmar (Burma), a place where both challenges and opportunities arose. It was during this period that the thought of working independently became more appealing to him. The idea of supporting companies in critical situations for a limited period and in diverse regions was a perfect match for his skills and interests.
“I realized I wanted more flexibility, and being independent allowed me to leverage my experience in unique ways, giving me the freedom to move between countries and industries, helping companies navigate through transitions or crises.,” he says.
This led him to connect with Bohuslav and Michaela Lipovsky at CE Interim in Eastern Europe, where he joined their advisory board. “We meet regularly to discuss strategies, explore new business opportunities, and bounce around ideas. It’s not always structured, but that’s what I like about it – It encourages creative thinking.”
You have a very good knowledge of Executive Interim Management. When should a company consider engaging an interim?
“There are generally three scenarios where a company should consider bringing in an Interim Executive. First, when there’s urgency – if you have a critical vacancy and can’t afford the time it takes to hire a permanent replacement. Second, for time-limited projects or initiatives where the expertise isn’t needed on a permanent basis. Finally, when the company lacks the necessary internal resources, or when you don’t want to burden your existing staff with additional responsibilities, which could distract from their primary roles.”
Why is Executive Interim Management a good investment?
“An Executive Interim Manager brings an exceptional level of expertise and experience. Typically, Interim Managers are overqualified for the roles they step into, which allows them to hit the ground running. With their wealth of experience, they can quickly adapt to the company’s needs, without the lengthy onboarding process that is often required with permanent hires. Interims need to be highly flexible and adaptable, able to handle complex corporate and cultural environments. You don’t just need industry knowledge; you need to understand how to navigate different company cultures and leverage your past experiences to deliver solutions. For me, it’s essential that an Interim Executive has an entrepreneurial spirit, thriving in high-pressure situations, delivering results quickly, and ensuring that those results are sustainable over the long term. Every company’s situation is unique, and the type of leadership needed can vary significantly.”
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