“We didn’t even consider any other options than an Executive Interim Manager during the rapid scale-up phase of the company,” says Jan Montell, Chairman of the Board at Skarta Energy Oy.
Skarta Energy is a Finnish renewable energy developer focusing on emission-free, industrial-scale solar power projects. The company provides efficient clean energy solutions to municipalities, cities, and industries across Finland, with a goal of producing 800 MW of solar energy by 2028. Skarta Energy is a joint venture between CapMan Infra, specializing in infrastructure investments, and NYAB, an expert in energy construction.
In early 2023, when Skarta Energy gained a new majority owner, CapMan Infra, there arose a need to build a new company infrastructure and establish a comprehensive, independent financial management system from scratch. “I saw that Executive Interim Management was the only right solution for a small organization in the scale-up phase. We needed speed, experience, and a hands-on approach,” Montell explains.
Experience – The Executive Interim Manager’s Superpower
Through the Nordic Interim network, a suitable candidate was found, and just over two weeks after the initial contact, the Interim CFO was fully engaged in launching a financial management system overhaul, laying the foundations for reporting, and other business-supporting functions. The solid experience of Executive Interim Managers is indeed their superpower. “In expansion and change situations, there is no time to waste. A new company constantly faces surprises and unforeseen changes, which can only be navigated with experience-based insights,” Montell continues.
The Executive Interim Manager’s Mandate ensures strong contribution
Throughout the assignment, the Executive Interim Manager has a company representative responsible for defining roles, setting boundaries, and providing support as needed. Additionally, a contact person from Nordic Interim was regularly in touch with the Executive Interim Manager and the client to ensure the focus of the assignment remained strong and up to date. The role of an Executive Interim Manager does not differ from other roles in the company, except that the duration of the task is defined. They have full mandate and the trust of the board to make agreed decisions on behalf of the company and drive projects forward.
Added Value for companies and Executive Interim Managers
Flexibility in schedules is often critical for business. In this case, the Interim CFO operated at the core of the company, responsible for reporting, financial planning, and the development of financial and other administrative processes. Extending the assignment from three months to six months was crucial for advancing both internal and external projects, including securing financing. The executive Interim Manager’s flexible schedule also gave the new CEO additional time to find a permanent CFO as a work partner.
Assignments in interesting companies and industries also bring added value to the work of interim managers and enhance the value of their resumes. Skarta Energy, a renewable energy company in an expansion phase, serves as a good example of how an experienced Executive Interim Manager can get acquainted with a new field and be a crucial factor in the company’s success.
An Executive Interim Manager can be an invaluable resource for a company during its growth and transformation phases. “The role of an Executive interim Manager is to bring experience, flexibility, and speed exactly when it is most needed,” Montell concludes and summarizes.