Poul has almost 20 years of management consulting experience in addition to management experience. He has been responsible for some of the most impactful Scandinavian consulting projects, typically focusing on strategy, capital markets, turnarounds and company transformations. Poul has been responsible for more than 350 projects with more than 120 clients across the world. He works with client senior management to ensure leadership alignment and to ensure that project deliverables translate into company results.

What do you think is the most interesting dilemma on the business agenda right now?
(Digital) transformation. Digital in brackets because, on the one hand, it is an extremely important agenda that has the possibility to disrupt industries, create massive improvements in efficiency, etc. But on the other hand, we need to realise that it is “just” technological opportunities, and that the real challenge lies in how we are going to use all the options presented to us – how we intend to transform our businesses that they become one of the future winners rather than extinct. The role of leadership in setting the course for the business has never before been more important – show the way!

I’m really inspired when I hear Tshering Tobgay (prime minister of Bhutan) talk about the Gross National Happiness Index in Bhutan and his aspirations for a greener world. It is quite unique that this is going on in this small Himalayan country, and he is such a great communicator.

To me, Valcon means integrity, competence, performance, joy. It is a social mechanism glued together by a determination to make a real difference with our clients and in the community at large – what we call “leaving footprints”. It is a community that I am extremely proud of belonging to.