Bernt Arpagaus - Interim Manager

Q: Where is Bernt based?

Bernt is based in Wangen, Switzerland and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Bernt speak?

Bernt speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Elementary), Russian (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Bernt have?

Bernt has at least 45 years of experience. During this time, Bernt has worked in at least 10 different roles and for 9 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 6 months . Note that Bernt may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Bernt's latest experience?

Bernt's most recent position is Interim Manager at AF Schweiz GmbH .

Q: What companies has Bernt worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bernt has worked for AF Schweiz GmbH and WB Bürgin AG / WB Solar Partners AG .

Q: Which industries is Bernt most experienced in?

Bernt is most experienced in industries like Banking and Finance , Energy , and Professional Services . Bernt also has some experience in Construction , Healthcare , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas is Bernt most experienced in?

Bernt is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Accounting , and Procurement . Bernt also has some experience in Sales , Information Technology , and Project Management .

Q: Which industries has Bernt worked in recently?

Bernt has recently worked in industries like Energy , Construction , and Banking and Finance .

Q: Which business areas has Bernt worked in recently?

Bernt has recently worked in business areas like Accounting , Finance , and Procurement .

Recommended expert

Wangen, Switzerland

Check rate

Experience

Jun 2022 - Present

4 years

Interim Manager

AF Schweiz GmbH

Mandate to restructure a company in the medical technology sector for X-ray equipment
Negotiations on damage claims management at a construction company (claims of 35 million)
Recruitment of banking staff in wealth management under mandate for an established recruitment firm
Managed accounting for a temporary staffing agency under mandate

Sep 2008 - Jun 2022

13 years 10 months

Grüningen, Switzerland

Head of Central Services / CFO, member of executive board on mandate for restructuring

WB Bürgin AG / WB Solar Partners AG

Responsible for finance, controlling, IT and HR
Implemented internal control system (ICS) and IT risk management
Financial planning and liquidity planning
Digitalized processes (finance, HR), claims management
Procurement and contract management
Supported sales negotiations
Established photovoltaic company WB Solar Partners AG as managing director (5 people)
Led the company out of a liquidity crisis; took over debtor management
Structured and arranged new bank financing
Centralized procurement and reduced purchasing costs by 15%
Built organization for R&D, controlling, procurement, logistics, IT, HR and admin
Increased headcount from 40 to 200 and recruited key personnel
Legally optimized contracts and reduced damage costs by approx. 3–4 million through negotiations
WB Solar Partners AG generated about 2 million in revenue in its second year with positive EBIT

Aug 2002 - Jul 2008

6 years

Glarus, Switzerland

Director, CEO

Glarner Kantonalbank

Member of the credit committee, board member of the Association of Cantonal Banks
Board member of Finnova AG (IT company for banking software)
Initiator and board member of SME Finance Plus (mezzanine financing) together with Otto Inneichen, Thurgau Cantonal Bank and Nidwalden Cantonal Bank
Led an entire bank (160 employees)
Developed a new cantonal bank law, a new organizational structure and strategy together with the board
Resolved legal cases from predecessors
Initiated, implemented and launched a new bank-wide IT system Finnova; successfully completed within 9 months; cost reduction of 30%
Conducted sales training and actively supported advisors with clients
Improved profitability (tripled gross profit, cost income ratio at 45%, previously over 70%)
Acquired a factoring company for SME clients
Acquired various real estate, commercial and private clients (focus on SMEs in the Greater Zurich Area); commercial client growth of 25%

Jan 2000 - Jul 2002

2 years 7 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Partner, Risk and Financial Management

Arthur Anderson

Implemented operational risk management at banks
Introduced enterprise-wide risk management at a retailer in Portugal
Conducted and optimized treasury risk analysis for a Swiss airline
Implemented enterprise-wide risk management at a global cement manufacturer
Analyzed and optimized hedging strategy for an airline in Basel

Oct 1997 - Dec 2000

3 years 3 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Deputy Director, head of World Class Finance and Risk Management

KPMG

Rebuilt a team of 12 consultants in risk and financial management
Set up a new treasury for the Infineon group in Munich after its spin-off from Siemens
Successfully established a new treasury at Wincor Nixdorf
Analyzed and optimized risk processes for the aluminum division of a global commodities group
Conducted due diligence for an aluminum group in Germany on behalf of the Swiss acquirer, with recommendations for the purchase decision
Automated the financial closing process for a German listed company (worldwide consolidated close 3 days after quarter-end, revenue 8 billion euros)

Jan 1994 - Sep 1997

3 years 9 months

Rüti, Switzerland

Head of Finance, Deputy CFO, Head of Export Financing

Sulzer Rüti AG

Managing the Finance, Treasury, and Export Financing department
Supporting global sales with innovative financing solutions and leading contract negotiations. Financing solutions for customers to purchase machinery

Aug 1992 - Dec 1994

2 years 5 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Senior Manager, Commercial Loans and Trade Finance, Syndications

Standard Chartered Bank

Aug 1990 - Aug 1992

2 years 1 month

Karachi, Pakistan

Head of International and Infrastructure Financing

ANZ Grindlays Bank

Liaising with government bodies, building a Chinese and Japanese client base
Structuring and financing infrastructure projects and export deals

Jan 1988 - Jul 1990

2 years 7 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Relationship Manager, Authorized Officer, Commercial and Trade Finance Clients

ANZ Grindlays Bank

Apr 1981 - Dec 1987

6 years 9 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Apprenticeship: Letters of Credit (12 months), Foreign Loans to Corporates and Banks

Schweizerische Kreditanstalt

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Banking and Finance, Energy, Professional Services, Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

Banking and Finance

Energy

Professional Services

Construction

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Finance, Accounting, Procurement, Information Technology, Project Management, and Sales.

Finance

Accounting

Procurement

Information Technology

Project Management

Sales

Summary

Entrepreneurial type with extensive experience as a CEO and CFO, strong financial expertise and broad experience in leading entire companies and specifically the finance department. I have experience in coaching, consulting, as well as process and change management. My special strengths are negotiation and contract management, along with good IT skills. I am familiar with various industries, especially construction, banking and machinery. I have also conducted several M&A transactions with the necessary due diligence. I successfully built two startups on mandate and handed them over to management. I am result-oriented, analytical, proactive, yet hands-on. I can understand clients' needs well and bring new solutions to drive company success. As a strategy consultant and in line roles, I have proven my entrepreneurial skills. I enjoy working with people and can motivate them to achieve top performance.

Skills

Microsoft Programs: Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Erp Systems: Sap, Sorba, Finnova

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

French

Elementary

Russian

Elementary

Education

Oct 1993 - Jun 1994

Graduate School of Business Administration

Certified Business Economist (Dipl. oec.) · Zürich, Switzerland

Oct 1981 - Jun 1984

Swiss Bank Corporation

Bank apprenticeship · Switzerland

Oct 1981 - Jun 1984

Commercial school

Commercial school · Zürich, Switzerland

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 10

Experience in Banking and Finance 26 y

Avg length 4 y 8 m

Longest experience 13 y 9 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 2 (Switzerland, Pakistan)

Primary country Switzerland

Expertise

Recent roles Interim Manager, Head of Central Services / CFO, member of executive board on mandate for restructuring, Director, CEO

Main industries Banking and Finance, Energy, Professional Services

Main business areas Finance, Accounting, Procurement

Profile

Created

May 2025

Last Update

May 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Where is Bernt based?

Bernt is based in Wangen, Switzerland and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Bernt speak?

Bernt speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Elementary), Russian (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Bernt have?

Bernt has at least 45 years of experience. During this time, Bernt has worked in at least 10 different roles and for 9 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 5 years and 6 months. Note that Bernt may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Bernt be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Bernt would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager, Head of Central Services / CFO, member of executive board on mandate for restructuring, Director, CEO.

What is Bernt's latest experience?

Bernt's most recent position is Interim Manager at AF Schweiz GmbH.

What companies has Bernt worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Bernt has worked for AF Schweiz GmbH and WB Bürgin AG / WB Solar Partners AG.

Which industries is Bernt most experienced in?

Bernt is most experienced in industries like Banking and Finance, Energy, and Professional Services. Bernt also has some experience in Construction, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

Which business areas is Bernt most experienced in?

Bernt is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Accounting, and Procurement. Bernt also has some experience in Sales, Information Technology, and Project Management.

Which industries has Bernt worked in recently?

Bernt has recently worked in industries like Energy, Construction, and Banking and Finance.

Which business areas has Bernt worked in recently?

Bernt has recently worked in business areas like Accounting, Finance, and Procurement.

What is Bernt's education?

Bernt attended Graduate School of Business Administration.

What is the availability of Bernt?

Bernt is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Bernt?

Bernt's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.