PFS Group welcomes Karl Abelshausen as CFO: "This is exactly the kind of agile company I wanted to return to"
PFS Group is proud to appoint Karl Abelshausen as its new Chief Financial Officer. With his broad experience in finance, M&A, and integrations, and with a fresh perspective on the role of finance within a growing organization, Karl now strengthens the management team. "PFS Group is at a turning point," he says. "In the coming years, we will have to take the leap."
How would Karl Abelshausen describe himself? Loyal, introverted, and goal-oriented. "In terms of color profile, I am definitely in the red zone. When I see opportunities or potential, I am willing to go far. In that respect, I am loyal and goal-oriented," he explains. "On the other hand, I am naturally introverted, but I can easily step into the role of an extrovert when the situation calls for it."
"My strength does not lie in the technical side of accounting, but rather in how you optimize things from a financial perspective."
Karl brings an impressive professional background. He started his career at PwC, then spent more than ten years at Telenet in various financial and strategic roles. Still, he does not see himself as a "pure accountant." "I have an academic background in law. My strength does not necessarily lie in the technical aspects of accounting, but in how you optimize things from the financial side."
The right spirit within PFS Group
The first encounter with PFS Group came through a LinkedIn ad. But the connection was immediate. "PFS Group is at a key moment in its development. A lot will happen in the coming years. When I spoke with Luc Bresseleers, Stijn Wildiers, and the people at IK, I immediately felt the right spirit. This is exactly the agile organization I wanted to return to."
Finance as the right hand of the business
As CFO, Karl wants to position finance at PFS Group as a strategic and forward-thinking partner. "Finance is still too often seen as a controlling or restraining force, whereas it can actually be a supportive factor. As a finance department, we must help ensure that the company moves forward and stays on the right course. In that sense, finance is the right hand of the business."
Ambitions for the coming years
As he takes on the role of CFO at PFS Group, Karl is already looking ahead to what's on the agenda:
- Further expansion of digital services
- Strengthening of the "Let's Rethink Cleaning" strategy
- Integration of recently acquired companies
- Exploration of new acquisitions and segments
With his strategic mindset and strong belief in the power of entrepreneurship, Karl is ready to help shape the future of PFS Group.
"The spirit is there, and in the coming years, it's time to take the leap."