Deep Branch appointed Kaspar Kristiansen as its new chief executive officer (CEO), taking over from co-founder Peter Rowe. With Kaspar’s arrival, Pete will dedicate his focus to commercial development activities, with both working closely together to redefine the company’s long-term strategy and lay the foundations for growth. This management team evolution is combined with an injection of additional funding from existing investors.
Kaspar joins Deep Branch following six years of serving as managing partner and managing director of Waterland where he was responsible for the global private equity firm’s Nordic business. Having also previously headed up Danish engineering firm FLSmidth’s M&A and business improvement activities, Kaspar is seasoned in dealing with the challenges of scaling and commercializing novel process technologies. He brings extensive experience in enabling high-potential businesses to realize their true value; an experience he will apply to Deep Branch as he oversees the successful completion of the company’s ongoing pilot project and prepares the organization for future growth through the establishment of stronger internal structures, planning and processes.
Pete’s former responsibilities for general management, business administration and finance will be handed over to Kaspar, whose strengths and track record in implementing and optimizing business operations across a wide range of industries strongly complement those of the existing members of the management team. Pete will take on the newly created role, retaining overall responsibility for business development, platform development and commercialization activities at Deep Branch. These plans to strengthen the company’s management team were made in close consultation with Deep Branch’s board and existing management team and by the company’s investors, including DSM Venturing, Barclays and Novo Holding, Fredericiagade Holding APS and Sundvæget Invest APS. These investors have all participated in additional financing over the last 12 months, providing capital to complete the pilot project, as well as committing to provide additional financing after the completion of the project.
“Over the past year, Pete and I had been discussing a potential transition that would enable him to better balance what was a very broad set of responsibilities. Upon meeting Kaspar, it was clear that his addition to the management team would bring a whole new dimension to Deep Branch, professionalizing the company and preparing it for growth, while working with the founders to utilize their unique strengths and enable them to grow with the company,” said chairperson Lars Topholm.
“The opportunity to join a game-changing start-up like Deep Branch, especially at this pivotal time for the organization, was too good to miss. The synergies between my background and the company’s needs are clear: Deep Branch’s commercial potential is almost limitless, and I hope to be able to use my skills and executive experience to guide the company forward. I look forward to getting started and, particularly, to setting up the organization for growth in the years ahead, maximizing its positive impact," said Kaspar.
“I’m excited to work with Kaspar as he leads Deep Branch through the next stage of our journey. With his track record in building market-leading and self-sustaining companies, it’s clear he can build the structures and processes we need to realize our full potential. Having had the opportunity to get to know Kaspar over recent months, I’m confident that we complement one another very well. Meanwhile, building and maintaining relationships with key strategic partners across our value chain is what energizes me, and being able to hand over my responsibilities to Kaspar will enable me to do this more effectively. I therefore see Kaspar’s appointment as a win-win for our company," said Pete.
