Lars Devantier Kallestrup CFO of Northwestern consulting group

The 800-strong consulting group of First Consulting, Valcon and Viqtor Davis has named Lars Devantier Kallestrup as its inaugural Group CFO. 

The Dane takes on the role effective immediately, and will combine the position with his current function of CFO of Valcon. Kallestrup has been with the Nordic management consulting firm for seven years, having previously held leadership roles in finance and operations at engineering consultancy Ramboll (Group Director Finance) and IT company BEC (CFO). Kallestrup kickstarted his career as an auditor at KPMG. 

Kallestrup brings extensive financial, operational and managerial experience to the table, across all aspects of the financial portfolio including treasury, transfer pricing, funding, budgeting, mergers & acquisitions, corporate reporting, and strategy execution.

“Lars will play a crucial role in supporting the growth agenda of the entire group,” said Geert van den Goor, who is the Group CEO. The Dutchman – an ex-Accenture senior partner – combines his role with that of Managing Partner of First Consulting, the largest of the trio of First Consulting (350 consultants), Valcon (180 consultants) and Viqtor Davis (300 data scientists).

The three consultancies are backed by private equity firm Waterland, and have together set bold growth ambitions for the coming years. By 2024, they aim at becoming a Northwestern powerhouse with 1,500 consultants, meaning that they have less than three years to double. 

Inorganic bolt-ons will form an integral part of this expansion agenda, a challenge Kallestrup said he much looks forward to work on. “I’m excited to continuing the journey with so many great Valconeers and new smart colleagues from First and Viqtor Davis – let’s take it to the next level.”