Björn Bemelmans-Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Check rate
Experience
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Heimbach Group
- Overall management of Heimbach GmbH with an annual turnover of €160 million and approx. 1,300 employees alongside the CEO
- Responsible for finance, controlling, purchasing, IT and human resources including personnel development
- Managed and further developed the commercial organization and ensured integrated corporate planning and management
- Actively supported strategic and operational decision-making processes
- Increased EBITDA margin from 8% to 11% during challenging conditions through improved financial transparency, performance and cost programs, and optimization of purchasing, organizational and IT structures
- Led preparation and successful execution of due diligence and sale of the company to a strategic investor (EBITDA multiple approx. 10x)
Interim CFO | Interim Manager | Finance Expert | Senior Advisor
2B Management Consulting
- Interim CFO and project manager focusing on financial and overall corporate management in transformation, restructuring and special situations
- Support management, shareholders, investors and management teams in the stabilization and further development of companies in private equity-dominated environments and internationally active medium-sized companies
- Assume management and CFO responsibility on a temporary basis and perform project management tasks to establish and reorganize financial and management structures
- Ensure liquidity and quality of results and actively support strategic decisions
- Provide financial and operational support for M&A, carve-out and exit processes and act as sparring partner for management, advisory board and investors
- Interim commercial director of a medium-sized German food manufacturer in the meat processing sector (€100 million turnover, ~500 employees, several locations; private equity financed) (2025)
- Project manager for post-merger integration of an international industrial company (€160 million in sales, ~1,250 employees) into a group (approx. €1.1 billion in sales, ~5,500 employees) (2024)
- Interim CFO of a medium-sized German automotive supplier in aluminum die casting (€100 million turnover, 900 employees, several locations; private equity) (2019–2020)
- Project manager for consulting firms: restructuring of a medium-sized German mechanical engineering company (approx. €900 million turnover, ~3,000 employees, several locations) including design and implementation of a comprehensive restructuring concept under Section 270b of the German Insolvency Code (2021)
- Project manager for consulting firms: implementation of performance improvement programs and expert opinions according to IdW S6 (restructuring reports) and IdW S11 (solvency assessment) for companies in various industries (since 2020)
Business Unit CFO EMEA Food & Consumer | Managing Director
Coveris Group
- Co-managed the EMEA Food & Consumer Business Unit with €450 million annual turnover, approx. 2,000 employees and 10 production sites in 4 countries
- Served as commercial business partner to group management, private equity investor and European subsidiaries
- Responsible for finance, accounting, treasury, controlling, taxes, restructuring and IT management at business unit level
- Co-designed and implemented corporate and M&A strategy and ensured integrated corporate planning and management
- Managed comprehensive reorganization from country-based to functional structure, centralized administrative functions in Europe including establishment of a shared service center, and harmonized systems and processes in finance, HR, purchasing, IT and sales
- Oversaw performance and restructuring programs, restructured underperforming sites and temporarily assumed CFO roles in subsidiaries to ensure uniform governance and quality standards
German Certified Public Auditor / Senior Manager / Authorized Signatory
EY Wirtschaftprüfungsgesellschaft
- Audited and advised medium-sized and large corporate groups in various industries and ownership structures, including family-owned, private equity-financed and internationally active industrial companies
- Managed audits of annual and consolidated financial statements (HGB, IFRS, US GAAP) and advised on accounting, governance, internal control systems and compliance
- Supported complex special situations including ERP implementations and harmonization, IPO preparations, restructuring and transformation projects, and post-merger integrations
- Led interdisciplinary project and audit teams and collaborated closely with board members, management, shareholders and investors
- Acted as sparring partner for top management on strategic, financial and organizational issues
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Professional Services, Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, and Automotive.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Accounting, Finance, Audit, Project Management, Strategy, and Human Resources.
Summary
Experienced CFO with extensive expertise in the overall and financial strategic management and development of companies. Strong focus on finance leadership, transformation and restructuring. Sound background as an auditor with a long-standing focus on private equity-led companies as well as several years of CFO responsibility in internationally active manufacturing companies. Recognized skills in business representation, business relationship management, and strategic decision-making.
Implementation experience in special situations: Establishment and stabilization of financial organizations, cash and earnings management, performance programs, M&A support as well as preparation and implementation of company sales/ exits. Entrepreneurially minded interim manager with a clear focus on results, high speed of implementation and secure management of all relevant stakeholders in demanding transformation phases.
Skills
- Corporate Governance And Strategy
- Performance Improvement
- Restructuring & Turnaround
- Employee Management And Development
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management (Shareholders, Banks, Management, Consultants)
- M&A, Carve-Outs & Exit Preparation
- Development And Reorganization Of Commercial And Operational Functions
- Financial Governance, Controlling & Kpi-Systems
- Cash Flow Management & Liquidity Protection
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Scenario Analysis
- Reporting & Investor Relations
Languages
Education
Kristianstad University
MBA International Business · International Business · Kristianstad, Sweden · with honors
Aachen University of Applied Sciences
Diploma in Business Administration (University of Applied Sciences) · Business Administration – focus areas: Finance, Taxes, Auditing, Law · Aachen, Germany · 1.3
Royal Athenaeum Eupen
German Abitur · Eupen, Belgium
Certifications & licenses
Appointment As An Auditor
Chamber Of Public Accountants
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Björn is based in Aachen, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Björn speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Advanced), Dutch (Intermediate).
Björn has at least 23 years of experience. During this time, Björn has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 6 years and 10 months. Note that Björn may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Björn would be well-suited for roles such as: Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Interim CFO | Interim Manager | Finance Expert | Senior Advisor, Business Unit CFO EMEA Food & Consumer | Managing Director.
Björn's most recent position is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Heimbach Group.
In recent years, Björn has worked for Heimbach Group and 2B Management Consulting.
Björn is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Food and Beverage, and Manufacturing. Björn also has some experience in Automotive.
Björn is most experienced in business areas like Accounting, Finance, and Audit. Björn also has some experience in Project Management, Strategy, and Human Resources.
Björn has recently worked in industries like Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Professional Services.
Björn has recently worked in business areas like Finance, Project Management, and Human Resources.
Björn holds a Master in International Business from Kristianstad University and a Bachelor in Business Administration – focus areas: Finance, Taxes, Auditing, Law from Aachen University of Applied Sciences.
Björn has 1 certificate: Appointment As An Auditor.
The availability of Björn needs to be confirmed.
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 25 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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