Interview with Mark Macus - CFO Bühler Group

Deloitte: What in particular would you like to drive forward as CFO in the next 12 months?

Mark Macus: We will continue to work intensively on the topic of sustainability, which is of strategic importance to us. There will be a strong focus on defining and financing our plans to reduce emissions, and also on sustainability reporting. We will also continue to implement our roadmap to digitise and automate our financial processes, which will improve the efficiency of our finance function. In addition, we will pay special attention to our strategic and operational positioning in order to take account of global developments at the geopolitical and financial level.

Deloitte: How do you assess the potential of generative artificial intelligence for the finance function, not least with regard to the labour shortage?

Mark Macus: I think the potential of AI is high, especially when humans work hand in hand with AI. This technology can enable us to achieve significant efficiencies by leaving repetitive or predictable tasks to machines and focusing our teams on more complex tasks that only humans can handle. By working with AI technology, we can also perform complex analyses and predictions in real time and make better risk assessments. In the long term, generative AI is likely to become an indispensable tool that strengthens us as CFOs in our role as a strategic partner. To do this, however, we need to empower our teams to use AI tools and further shape them.

Deloitte: How do you think the role of the CFO will change in the coming years?

Mark Macus: The role of a CFO will continue to be central to corporate governance in the coming years but will become more complex. In addition to the traditional tasks of financial management and planning, the CFO will continue to act as a strategic partner in the company. Digitalisation and data analytics will continue to play a central role in making informed decisions and achieving efficiency gains. In addition, we CFOs will take on greater responsibility in the areas of sustainability and ESG to ensure the long-term success of the company. Finally, in the current geopolitical environment, our ability to anticipate risks and develop innovative financial strategies will be crucial.

Deloitte: How do you assess the likely movement in interest rates in Switzerland and the financing conditions for your company?

Mark Macus: We expect interest rates to remain generally stable, although currently we still see some room for smaller interest rate cuts in global markets that are important to us. Thanks to the solid financial position and the good valuation of the Bühler Group, we do not expect financing conditions for us to be any more difficult. However, we operate in the capital goods sector, so the investment decisions of our global clients will be influenced by interest rate developments.