Insights

Case An internationally operating portfolio company of a private equity investor had reached a critical stage in its development. While the business was experiencing strong revenue growth, it was simultaneously facing declining margins, limited management information and increasing operational complexity. Although management had access to extensive sales data, there was a fundamental lack of insight…

Why economic turbulence is actually increasing demand for CFOs, CEOs and interim leaders The global economy is entering a phase in which uncertainty is becoming the rule rather than the exception. Geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, rising capital costs and technological disruption are creating an economic environment that is far less predictable than it has been…

They are selected for pedigree instead of problem-solving abilityToo many interim hires are driven by surface credentials: years of experience, big-name employers, or having “done the role before.” None of these guarantee success in a high-pressure, ambiguous interim context. What truly matters is whether someone has solved a comparable type of business problem under similar…

For many years, interim finance was perceived as a practical solution to a temporary problem. A CFO leaves unexpectedly, an audit deadline approaches, or a maternity leave needs covering. An interim manager stepped in, kept things running, and stepped out again. Useful, certainly — but not necessarily strategic. That perception has changed profoundly Today, interim…

For years, organisations have treated Finance, General Management and Human Resources as distinct leadership domains. Separate roles. Separate KPIs. Separate conversations.
That separation no longer reflects reality. In today’s environment—characterised by capital pressure, talent scarcity, accelerated change and increased governance scrutiny—leadership either works as an integrated system, or it breaks down entirely. What we see repeatedly…

Why seasoned interim leaders deliver faster, better and more sustainable change. Change has become the only constant in business. Whether driven by private equity ownership, digitalisation, new reporting standards or strategic realignment, almost every organisation faces transformation. Yet true transformation — the kind that reshapes a company’s performance, structure and culture — rarely succeeds through…

Bridgewell is once again among the top 5 of the MT1000 in 2025 — the largest independent survey of business service providers in the Netherlands. In the Executive Search category, we have achieved fourth place this year, confirming our long-standing consistency and quality at the highest level. This recognition perfectly reflects what our clients have…

This interview is conducted by Michiel Sintnicolaas, Managing Partner at Bridgewell. In his work, he speaks daily with CFOs, investors, and other leaders in finance. But today, his conversation partner is unique in the history of the profession: Finny. Finny is the world’s first AI CFO, officially appointed as CFA – Chief Financial Algorithm. Not…

The Finance Career Path For many business controllers and senior business controllers, the ambition to become a CFO is a natural next step. The business controller role is an excellent training ground for developing strategic insight, analytical strength, and business sense. Yet, moving into the CFO position requires more than financial analysis alone: broadening scope,…

Who Adds More Value in a PE Portfolio Company: The CFO or the Commercial Director?

 In private equity, everything revolves around value creation. Every decision, every initiative, every leadership hire is weighed against its impact on EBITDA, scalability, and exit potential. Two roles often take center stage: the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Commercial…