Markus Peters - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Q: Where is Markus based?

Markus is based in Hanover, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Markus speak?

Markus speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Intermediate), Spanish (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Markus have?

Markus has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, Markus has worked in at least 11 different roles and for 10 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months . Note that Markus may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Markus's latest experience?

Markus's most recent position is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at VIA optronics AG .

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

In recent years, Markus has worked for VIA optronics AG .

Q: Which industries is Markus most experienced in?

Markus is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Metals and Mining , and Banking and Finance . Markus also has some experience in Energy and Utilities .

Q: Which business areas is Markus most experienced in?

Markus is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Accounting , and Investments and M&A . Markus also has some experience in Strategy , Legal , and Human Resources .

Q: Which industries has Markus worked in recently?

Markus has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Markus worked in recently?

Markus has recently worked in business areas like Accounting and Finance .

Recommended expert

Hanover, Germany

Check rate

Experience

Jul 2021 - Jun 2024

3 years

Nuremberg, Germany

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

VIA optronics AG

Investor meetings, investor relations for NYSE listing
Enhanced reporting and compliance structures, cost controlling
Post-merger integration
Implementation of LucaNet
Financing negotiations with banks
Global responsibility for 25 employees in six countries
Positive net cash position and decreasing NWC (-40%) with rising revenues
Significantly reduced cash outflow
Initiated profitability and restructuring projects, introduced capex guidelines
Built hedging line, implemented ABS program, extended bank financing

Jul 2017 - Nov 2020

3 years 5 months

Garbsen, Germany

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG

Led the supervisory board cooperatively, maintained close communication with the executive board, chaired the annual general meeting
Prepared and conducted supervisory board meetings
Streamlined management structures, including reappointment of the executive board
Focused on return on capital and growth
Capital market communication, discussions with banks and restructuring advisors
Filled vacancies on the supervisory board
Increased market capitalization by EUR 400m
Redesigned the compensation system with a focus on value-oriented management, high approval at the AGM
Successful restructuring and refinancing
Capital increase through new shares

Jul 2017 - Jun 2020

3 years

Hanover, Germany

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Investment Officer

German Technology AG (Bantleon Group)

Managed investments and analyzed targets
Value-enhancing support and disposal of investments (LPKF)
Generated deal flow for technology start-ups, (pre-)IPOs and small caps
Sourced investors
Stock picking for tech investment funds
Achieved a successful exit at LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Increased market capitalization by EUR 400m

May 2013 - Jun 2017

4 years 2 months

Winterthur, Switzerland

CFO, Managing Director

DMG MORI ECOLINE Holding AG

Accounting, controlling & reporting, cash and NWC management, FX management, compliance
Built structures and processes, risk management for holding and subsidiaries
Managed investments in China, Poland, DACH region and Russia (greenfield)
Expanded control and management systems
Introduced a compliance program as compliance officer
Implemented currency hedging
Secured results through meaningful product cost calculations
Led cost and efficiency programs, unified ERP systems
Direct and indirect responsibility for 45 employees in five countries
Successfully built a greenfield plant in Russia under budget by approx. 10% through FX hedging and strict investment controlling
Significant earnings contributions through cash management combined with term deposits in a high-interest environment
Established a tax-optimized holding in Switzerland
Company-wide fixed cost reduction of 10% at a manufacturing company in China
Restructured financing in China
Closed a plant in China after merger with MORI CO., LTD

Oct 2011 - Apr 2013

1 year 7 months

Duisburg, Germany

Built treasury/finance function for INOXUM Group

INOXUM GmbH (formerly thyssenkrupp Stainless) / Outokumpu Holding Germany GmbH

Established an independent treasury function: cash pooling, in-house banking
Introduced new treasury systems including treasury management software (ITS)
FX hedging and currency management
Implemented treasury guidelines
Built and maintained banking relationships, executed borrowing base facility
Successfully established and structured the treasury function at the time of the carve-out
Set up a hedging book of over EUR 1bn

Apr 2011 - Sep 2011

6 months

Werdohl, Germany

Vice President Compliance & Risk Management

thyssenkrupp VDM GmbH

Risk controlling, export control, compliance, transfer price management
Organized data room for equity carve-out
Led compliance audits and compliance training
Conducted risk inventory
Managed transfer price management
Successfully completed external compliance audit
Finished data room for carve-out on time

Jun 2007 - Mar 2011

3 years 10 months

Florham Park, United States

Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Member of the Board

thyssenkrupp VDM USA, Inc.

Accounting, controlling & reporting, taxes, treasury, supply chain, IT, HR, tax, risk & legal, compliance
Implemented cost reduction measures and synergy projects
Improved return on capital, expanded sales controlling, introduced value-based management
Led critical customer negotiations
Calculated offer prices
Introduced rolling sales and production planning to reduce inventory
Negotiated with raw material traders and mines
Managed legacy environmental projects to avoid financial burdens
Risk & Compliance officer: defended against claims and fraudulent actions
Managed 17 employees at two locations
Successfully merged two US operating companies and led ERP system migration
Profitable during the 2007–2011 financial crisis, positive EBT for the VDM group in 2009/10
Improved cash flow and optimized NWC through active receivables management and inventory reduction
Introduced raw material purchasing based on rolling sales and production plans
Reorganized scrap management, up to 20% profit contribution
Hedged metal cost fluctuations (covering 50% of exposure)
No payment defaults on receivables despite the economic crisis

Oct 2003 - May 2007

3 years 8 months

Werdohl, Germany

Head of Central Controlling Department, authorized signatory

thyssenkrupp VDM GmbH

Operational and strategic controlling
Business planning and investment evaluations, product costing
Restructuring and cost reduction projects
Risk and investment controlling, M&A projects
Managed five employees
Introduced SAP-based sales controlling and value management
Investment projects in the USA within budget
Successfully applied for subsidies for energy-intensive plants

Jan 2001 - Oct 2003

2 years 10 months

Düsseldorf, Germany

Head of Strategic Controlling

thyssenkrupp Materials AG

Company-wide segment planning and strategic controlling
Risk controlling
Point of contact for thyssenkrupp AG
Special tasks for the executive board
Managed five employees
Introduced value-based management
Expanded tied-up capital and investment controlling with gap analysis

Jan 1999 - Dec 2000

2 years

Essen, Germany

Senior Manager for Strategic Projects/Corporate Development

RWE AG

M&A and development of strategic corporate projects
Evaluation of market entry strategies
Analysis, evaluation, and recommendations for M&A projects for the executive board
Refined the multi-utility strategy, developed e-commerce projects
Founded a corporate venture capital fund (€50M)
Market survey on the multi-utility strategy

Apr 1996 - Dec 1998

2 years 9 months

Essen, Germany

M&A Project Manager for Central and Eastern Europe

RWE Energie AG

Managed M&A projects and interdisciplinary teams
Identified and analyzed acquisition targets, prepared bid documents
Prepared decision documents for the executive board
Negotiated with cooperation and contractual partners
Oversaw international commitments
Selected and developed junior staff
Achieved successful market entry in the Czech Republic for two companies
Led the full M&A process multiple times
Expanded cooperation and investment options in Bulgaria

Industry Experience

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

Experienced in Manufacturing, Metals and Mining, Banking and Finance, Energy, and Utilities.

Manufacturing

Metals and Mining

Banking and Finance

Energy

Utilities

Business Area Experience

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

Experienced in Finance, Accounting, Strategy, Investments and M&A, Legal, and Human Resources.

Finance

Accounting

Strategy

Investments and M&A

Legal

Human Resources

Summary

Internationally experienced CFO with a broad industrial background and strong intercultural skills in growth markets as well as in special situations, e.g. restructuring, carve-out or repositioning in publicly listed companies.

25+ years of professional experience, around 20 years in leadership roles as Group CFO, Senior Vice President or Chairman of the Supervisory Board during restructuring phases
Group CFO with responsibility for hundreds of millions
Proven direct capital market experience in publicly listed companies
Leadership responsibility: up to 45 employees worldwide

Key achievements

Stopped cash bleeding and reduced NWC by up to 40% in one year
Acquisition of a stake, restructuring and a highly profitable exit after just three years while keeping the listing (plus EUR 400m market cap)
Designed compensation systems with high acceptance at the Annual General Meeting
Internationalization through plant construction in Eastern Europe under budget by approx. 10%
Company-wide fixed cost reduction of 10% in China
Built treasury function in a carve-out situation, set up a hedging book of over EUR 1bn
Profitable even in crisis (2008-2011), secured a positive result for the entire group (EUR 1.4bn revenue) through process optimization as well as value and NWC management
Structured a corporate venture capital fund for the energy sector
Entered international markets via M&A

Skills

B2b Industry Expertise: Mechanical Engineering, Automotive, High Tech, Metal And Materials Industry, Energy Sector
Matrix Organization, Corporate Environment, Medium-Sized Companies And Family Businesses
International Management Experience: Four Years In The Usa, Three Years In Switzerland, One Year In Austria
Special Situations/360° View, E.G. Restructuring, Carve-Out, Turnaround Management
Studied Business Administration/Finance In Germany And The Usa
Cfo, Finance Executive Board Member, Supervisory Board Member In Listed Companies (Deutsche BöRse, Nyse)
Change & Turnaround Management, Restructuring And Special Situations, As Well As M&A
Continuous Improvement Of Cost Structures, Processes, It And Information Systems
Growth, Internationalization, Strong Structuring And Process Skills, Value Management/Shareholder Value Focus, Working Capital Management
Additional Leadership Responsibility For Supply Chain, Hr, It, Ir, M&A, Strategy, Legal & Risk

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

French

Intermediate

Spanish

Elementary

Education

Oct 1992 - Jun 1997

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

PhD · Business Administration, Finance · Kiel, Germany

Aug 1990 - May 1992

Pennsylvania State University

Master of Science in Business Administration, Finance concentration · Business Administration, Finance concentration · State College, United States

Oct 1987 - Jun 1990

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

Business Administration · Kiel, Germany

...and 2 more

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 11

Experience in Manufacturing 17.5 y

Avg length 2 y 9 m

Longest experience 4 y 1 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 3 (Germany, Switzerland, United States)

Primary country Germany

Expertise

Recent roles Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Investment Officer

Main industries Manufacturing, Metals and Mining, Banking and Finance

Main business areas Finance, Accounting, Strategy

Qualifications

Highest degree Doctorate

Profile

Created

February 2025

Last Update

May 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

Where is Markus based?

Markus is based in Hanover, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Markus speak?

Markus speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), French (Intermediate), Spanish (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Markus have?

Markus has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, Markus has worked in at least 11 different roles and for 10 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 6 months. Note that Markus may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Markus be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Markus would be well-suited for roles such as: Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Investment Officer.

What is Markus's latest experience?

Markus's most recent position is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at VIA optronics AG.

What companies has Markus worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Markus has worked for VIA optronics AG.

Which industries is Markus most experienced in?

Markus is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Metals and Mining, and Banking and Finance. Markus also has some experience in Energy and Utilities.

Which business areas is Markus most experienced in?

Markus is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Accounting, and Investments and M&A. Markus also has some experience in Strategy, Legal, and Human Resources.

Which industries has Markus worked in recently?

Markus has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Markus worked in recently?

Markus has recently worked in business areas like Accounting and Finance.

What is Markus's education?

Markus holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, Finance from Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel and a Master in Business Administration, Finance concentration from Pennsylvania State University.

What is the availability of Markus?

Markus will be available full-time from June 2026.

What is the rate of Markus?

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