1) Client situation (anonymised):
A mid-sized Czech subsidiary of a major Central European FMCG group faced persistent financial losses and a chronic leadership gap. Operating across ten business unites with approximately 600 employees, the company struggled with weak market positioning and ongoing underperformance. The urgency was heightened by the imminent departure of the local Managing Director and the limited operational involvement of the cross-border co-leader from HQ. With a restructuring analysis underway and strategic options ranging from turnaround to sale or closure, immediate executive intervention was required to regain control and prepare for decisive action.
2) The challenge:
- Chronic annual losses and unreliable financial forecasting
- Leadership vacuum following the Managing Director’s exit
- Low accountability and weak ownership at management level
- Resistance to change and lack of urgency among staff
- Fragmented operational processes and manual workflows
- Poor alignment between headquarters and local operations
- Inability to manage a sale or orderly wind-down internally
- Eroding team morale and risk of further destabilization
3) Interim role delivered (speed and fit):
CE Interim delivered a rapid deployment of an Interim CEO with full legal and operational authority, commencing within weeks of mandate confirmation. The assignment was structured as a 9-12 month engagement to ensure continuity through all strategic scenarios – turnaround, sale, or closure (liquidation). The selected executive was a Czech national with deep restructuring experience, proven hands-on leadership in multi-site operations, and fluency in both local and headquarters communication. This ensured immediate credibility with staff, effective stakeholder management, and the ability to execute under cross-border governance requirements.
4) What happened during the mandate:
First 30 days
- Assumed legal and operational control as Managing Director
- Established direct communication with headquarters and local teams
- Stabilized day-to-day operations and maintained business continuity
- Conducted rapid assessment of key personnel and processes
- Initiated transparent communication to address uncertainty and set expectations
First 6 months
- Translated the restructuring analysis into a scenario-based execution plan
- Implemented cost containment and operational discipline across all sites
- Led the downsizing of non-viable business units and prepared assets for potential sale
- Strengthened reporting cadence and restored financial visibility
- Built trust with employees through regular updates and open forums
6+ months
- Supported the structured sale process, including buyer engagement and due diligence
- Managed site closures or divestments as required by the chosen scenario
- Maintained operational stability and morale during transition phases
- Ensured compliance with legal and fiduciary responsibilities throughout execution
Handover and exit
- Documented all actions, decisions, and lessons learned for successor leadership
- Facilitated knowledge transfer to permanent management or buyer teams
- Provided final reporting to headquarters, confirming mandate objectives met
- Exited upon completion of the strategic scenario, leaving a stabilized organization
5) Actions taken (execution focus):
- Assumed full statutory and operational responsibility as Interim CEO
- Restored regular reporting cadence and decision-making rhythm
- Introduced weekly cash and performance reviews with headquarters
- Aligned local management with group governance and expectations
- Led scenario planning for turnaround, sale, or closure
- Implemented cost-saving measures and streamlined workflows
- Engaged directly with employees to rebuild accountability and realism
- Coordinated with external advisors and M&A teams for sale preparation
- Managed stakeholder communication to minimize resistance and uncertainty
- Ensured legal compliance and risk mitigation throughout the process
6) Outcomes achieved (measurable proof):
- Operational control restored within 60 days, halting further destabilization
- Reporting discipline re-established, enabling reliable decision-making
- Cost base reduced through targeted downsizing and process improvements
- Team engagement improved, with clearer ownership and accountability
- Strategic options (turnaround, sale, closure) prepared for board decision
- Sale process advanced with assets and data room ready for buyers
- Site closures or divestments executed without major disruption
- Leadership continuity maintained throughout the transition period
- Cross-border alignment achieved between headquarters and local operations
- Risk of unmanaged exit or value erosion significantly reduced
7) Why CE Interim:
CE Interim enabled the client to move from indecision to execution with speed and precision. The rapid deployment of a senior, Czech-speaking Interim CEO ensured immediate operational control and credibility with both local teams and headquarters. CE Interim’s cross-border experience bridged cultural and governance gaps, while disciplined project orientation and reporting cadence built trust and reduced risk for owners. The mandate progressed safely and visibly from stabilization through to strategic outcome.
8) Call to action:
If you require an Interim CEO to stabilize operational control, restore governance, and lead a turnaround or exit in a complex cross-border environment, CE Interim can deliver the right executive leadership quickly and safely.
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
