On March 15th, 2024, Accell Group N.V. announced the appointment of Gijsbert de Zoeten as its new CFO.
De Zoeten brings immense experience driving sustainable growth in private equity and publicly listed companies – perfectly aligning with Accell Group’s mission.
About Accell Group
Accell Group was established in 1998, and has grown to become a significant player in the bicycle industry. In 2022, the Amsterdam-listed company was taken private following its acquisition by a consortium led by KKR Capital, a prominent private equity firm.
Accell Group sells more than 500 million bicycles from renowned brands such as Batavus, Sparta, KOGA, LaPierre, Babboe, Haibike, Ghost and Raleigh.
The company has an impressive presence in European and North American markets, being the market leader for e-bike provision in Europe and second in bicycle parts and accessories.
Accell Group also greatly emphasizes innovation and sustainability, leading the future of cycling mobility. Their business practices focus on responsible manufacturing, employee well-being, and supply chain ethics to positively affect people and the planet.
CFO Since 2008
De Zoeten has held CFO positions since 2008, most recently at Inchcape PLC, a global automotive distributor and retailer, where he played a pivotal role in maneuvering through the challenges of the devastating pandemic.
At Inchcape he implemented substantial restructuring and cost-saving measures while successfully executing a growth strategy on organic expansion and acquisition. The success of these implementations showcased his capability to manage complex supply chains and operations.
Experience Before Inchcape
Prior to his time at Inchcape, De Zoeten held the CFO position at LeasePlan Corporation, a global-leading car leasing company. During his time at LeasePlan, he helped transition it from a multi-local entity to an integrated business structure. He also played an important role in the IPO (Initial Public Offering), helping the company issue an ITF (Intention to Float) notice to their local stock exchange.
Before LeasePlan, De Zoeten had already spent 25 years at Unilever. At Unilever, he had the opportunity to experience various financial management positions, eventually becoming the CFO of Unilever Europe. At Unilever Europe, he focused heavily on sustainability, integrating it as a core business driver, resulting in significant growth and ROI.
More Than Just Work Experience
Alongside De Zoeten’s heavy financial experience, he’s also a respected figure in the financial community. The Dutch Association of Registered Controllers has ranked him in the annual top 50 registered controllers multiple times and even within the top two for some years.
He has also served on the supervisory board of the Delft University of Technology, where he chaired the Audit Committee, showcasing his commitment to good governance and transparency.
A Bright Future for Accell
Overall, his experiences show a willingness to drive sustainable growth across various industries. With De Zoeten now being the CFO of Accell, they have positioned themselves nicely to strengthen their financial foundation and accelerate their strategic vision. Furthermore, his extensive understanding of international markets makes him an ideal fit for Accell as they move towards more market dominance.
