Almuth Steinkühler has been the Financial Director of Varma, who designs drug containment products and drug delivery systems for biotechnology and biotechnology companies, since August 2022. Originally from a section of the AG glass manufacturer, the company was published on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2023.
Global financing: What is the biggest challenge in your state as a financial president of Varma’s fiscal, given his new situation as a public company?
Mudhtin Steiner: If we looked back, the past few years have been dynamic and rewarding for Varma’s crude as well as a person. I would like to refer to three distinct stages, each of which provides its unique challenges. Initially, it was all about the foundation laying: creating Schott Parma as an independent company with all its operations, structures and new departments. The founding work was decisive to our success.
After reaching this teacher, my focus has moved completely to the process of applying to the public and building a loyal and supportive base while taking our employees with us on this trip. I can tell you that our successful first year (IPO) was a great achievement.
However, for the financial manager, the real deal begins on the first day after the day of the list. From that moment on, the main challenge is to achieve strong growth and expand the margin of our business: something we have been able to present, especially in the difficult market environment.
GF: What has absorbed most of your energy over the past 12 months, and why?
Steinkühler: The majority of my time and energy has been devoted to managing the first steps for Varma Chew as a public company, which, as one imagines, requires a lot of attention and strategic control. Along with my team, I focused on telling our stock story for investors and the public, ensuring that our vision and capabilities are clearly understood and appreciated.
At the same time, we were able to change a huge change. We have worked to build a strong commitment to our internal subscription, bridging information flows and adapting to new dynamics for being a company listed for the public.
GF: How important you have to have a big team, and what do you do?
Steinkühler: The strong team is the most important factor in providing consistent results. Being new in public markets and building a difference at the same time is not easy. But with the right spirit, it can work.
For me, it starts to employ parking: finding people with ambition to improve operations and always watching the result. Then he continues with confidence: giving them room to take advantage of their experiences and competencies while enabling them to take responsibility. We have many of these people in Schott Pharma, their commitment and dedication is what makes our success.
GF: How do you see artificial intelligence in financing developing? How can artificial intelligence be more useful?
Steinkühler: AI provides an enormous opportunity in financing, primarily because it facilitates the use and analysis of huge amounts of data. By making the data accessible to the wide audience easily, artificial intelligence enables individuals to extract valuable visions quickly.
I think this shift will transform financing from just providing analyzes to enable others to work with data more effectively. Basically, this will give us a more comprehensive understanding of the big picture and raises greater creativity. Although it is important to ensure that data and safety ownership remain the utmost priority, the benefits of artificial intelligence will form the future of financing.
GF: What keeps you awake at night?
Steinkühler: I am thinking about how to ensure continuous success and the growth of Schott Pharma, how to maintain the confidence of investors and stakeholders, and how to move in the complex market environment. But this is what makes me dream at night and motivate me for this day. We are in a very good position in a sound market with strong Megatrends and we have great prospects for the future. Therefore, we are well prepared to implement our strategy.
