Since the beginning of this year, Jürgen Deters has been strengthening our team. The new CFO of the SCHULZ Group brings extensive experience and fresh perspectives, combined with a clear mindset and the courage to think beyond the obvious. In this interview, he explains what drives him and how he approaches his role.

Mr Deters, what has motivated or inspired you most during your more than 30 years of leadership experience?

I have always been passionate about actively shaping things – whether organisational structures, business processes or collaboration. Numbers are important to me because they tell stories. Behind every development are people, decisions and processes. That is exactly where my focus lies: identifying and uncovering potential through the numbers. I want to understand connections, optimise structures and, together with the teams, make a real difference. This combination of responsibility and collaboration remains one of my strongest motivations to this day.

You have spent more than two decades working as a CFO and commercial director. How has the role changed over that time?

The role has become significantly broader. In addition to traditional finance topics, it now involves a great deal of corporate responsibility, transparency and future readiness. Today, we operate at the intersection of strategy, organisation and day-to-day business. Topics such as digitalisation, transparency and speed have become increasingly important. At the same time, our responsibility remains to provide direction – not only through figures, but also by helping people understand broader market developments and business relationships. As a result, finance is no longer viewed as a standalone function, but as part of a team that shares responsibility for the company’s success.

What attracted you to joining the SCHULZ Group?

It was the combination of scale and down-to-earth values that convinced me. You can clearly feel the established culture of a medium-sized company with strong values and genuine substance. I have found an environment that is open, direct and at the same time highly reliable. Decisions are not made through lengthy processes but through direct dialogue. Added to that is a clear strategic position and the opportunity to implement ideas together and turn them into reality. That fits perfectly with the way I like to work.

What is particularly important to you when working with colleagues?

Experience has taught me how important it is to listen. Fortunately, that is something I believe I do quite well. Listening allows you to pick up on the nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed. For me, respectful and appreciative collaboration on equal terms is one of the cornerstones of successful teamwork. Regardless of hierarchy or role, what matters is the contribution each person makes to the bigger picture. I firmly believe that when people feel valued and are given responsibility, performance follows naturally. Recognition is just as important as an open approach to mistakes and learning. Trust-based communication is essential for creating the kind of culture that enables people to work together successfully.

What goals are you pursuing in your current role?

My first priority is to gain a deep understanding of the company, its projects, as well as its customers and partners. I am still in the onboarding phase and learning something new every day. I am also looking forward to meeting as many colleagues as possible over the coming months. My goal is to provide direction and create the framework that enables everyone to contribute their best. Building on that, I want to further develop our commercial structures in a way that sustainably supports the growth of the Group. Transparency, effective management and control, and a solid financial strategy are my key priorities.

For me, respectful and appreciative collaboration on equal terms is one of the most important foundations of successful teamwork.

Jürgen Deters, CFO SCHULZ Group