Axel Kaass

CFO | Finance Director Germany / CH / AT | Commercial Finance | FMCG | Pharma | Healthcare

Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

About

Resilient and result-driven Finance Director with 15+ years in international senior leadership roles. In-depth knowledge of Financial Planning & Analysis, Commercial Finance, Accounting, IT, and M&A. Delivery of ambitious targets, applying sharp analytical and intercultural skills in cross-functional team collaboration. Highly holistic view of the business, seeing beyond the borders of Finance to ensure long-term viability and profitable growth. Promote open communication and shaped an environment marked by low inter-personal risk, mutual learning, and empowerment. Marked by a can-do attitude, pragmatic approach, and positive mindset.

Experience

  • Pierre Fabre Laboratories (Basel, Switzerland)
    • CFO DACH
      Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

    • General Manager Medical Care DACH ad interim & CFO DACH
      Jun 2025 - Feb 2026 · 9 mos

    • CFO DACH
      May 2023 - Jun 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Finance Director DACH at Haleon
    Jul 2022 - Apr 2023 · 10 mos

  • Beiersdorf (9 yrs 11 mos)
    • Finance Director Germany / Switzerland
      Feb 2017 - Jun 2022 · 5 yrs 5 mos

      Reporting line: General Manager Germany / Switzerland Leadership: 21 reports Responsible for financial steering of the Group’s largest market (revenue of >700m €).

    • Finance Director Northern Latin America
      Aug 2012 - Jan 2017 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      Reporting line: General Manager Northern Latin America Leadership: 50 reports Finance responsibility for Mexico, Central America & Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela (total revenue of >250m €) with the functions Controlling (FP&A), Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Accounting & Tax, Legal/Compliance, and IT.

  • Henkel Mexicana (8 yrs 10 mos)
    • Process Manager General Accounting / Controlling
      Apr 2011 - Aug 2012 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Reporting line: Head of Shared Service Center LATAM Leadership: 35 reports Responsible for all General Accounting & Controlling activities within Shared Service Center for 10 countries in Latin America.

    • Strategic Projects Manager Finance
      Nov 2006 - Mar 2011 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      Reporting line: CFO Latin America / Head of Finance Mexico Leadership: project teams Responsible for driving a range of strategic, Finance projects across Latin America.

    • Regional Business Controller Consumer Adhesives
      Apr 2006 - Oct 2006 · 7 mos