New CFO to strengthen use of financial data

In her new job, JYSK's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Signe Lind Jacobsen, will add more power to the company's financial data so that important decisions can be made on a solid financial basis.

On 1 August 2023, Signe Lind Jacobsen had her first working day at JYSK's international head office in the Aarhus suburb of Brabrand in Denmark.

As a trained accountant and with over 20 years of experience in finance, 40-year-old Signe Lind Jacobsen has brought strong competencies to JYSK. Previously, her business card included Bestseller, Rema 1000, Salling Group and most recently Danish Crown, where she held the title of Senior Vice President.

Closer to customers with data

In May, she participated in a strategy presentation at HimmerLand, where JYSK's top 150 was gathered. Since then, she also received the daily sales reports, so she could already have a good insight into the business from day one in the job.

"I really like the day-to-day part of retail, because you can basically see the numbers for yesterday, do something today and already see the results tomorrow. I've really been looking forward to working on getting even closer to the customers," she says.

One of the ways in which the new CFO will get closer to the customers is by utilising JYSK's large amounts of financial data to support data-driven decisions.

"There is no doubt that the many skilled employees in the finance department have a good handle on the business. This is not least thanks to Henrik Naundrup (former CFO, ed.). One of the things I expect to be able to contribute is to put even more power into how finance can help the business make the right decisions. We have a very, very large amount of data that can undoubtedly help us in this direction," she explains.

Lars Larsen's spirit lives on

As CFO and Executive Vice President, Signe Lind Jacobsen is part of JYSK's top management team with eight members. But even though she will be working at the top level, the new CFO is pleased that JYSK has its feet firmly planted on the ground.

"It's professional, but a bit on flat feets," as she puts it. "I like the style, you are down to earth, and it is my impression that it is the original spirit of Lars Larsen that lives on in the company. You like to do a good deal, but it also has to be proper, and decency is definitely an important value for me."

With a turnover of DKK 36.2 billion and a profit of DKK 4.56 billion in the financial year 2022, the CFO also has more than cultural values to look to.

"The last number, the profit, means more than the first. Because if you as a company do not have money, you do not have the opportunity to develop. It means something to me to join a company that has delivered profits for so many years, and the top line of course testifies to how big JYSK is. That’s impressive," says Signe Lind Jacobsen.

Sustainability as value for the customer

In addition to the financial responsibility, the new CFO will also be responsible for the sustainability department, which will put even more focus on how JYSK can work with sustainability. She herself calls this "mega exciting".

"Sustainability is of particular interest to me because it is an area that affects all of us, and it requires a data discipline to work with. Although sustainability lives in finance, we need more skills around the company to move closer to the goal," she says.

According to her, the legal aspects must be kept under control as a matter of course. It is also an area where there will be more regulation in the years to come.

"But I'm also interested in how we can make sustainability part of the business, so it's not just about reporting, but about making it a value for our customers," she says.

Career

• 2023-: CFO and Executive Vice President, JYSK
• 2021-23: Senior Vice President and CFO Commercial, Danish Crown
• 2014-20: Finance Director, Salling Group
• 2013-14: Commercial Controller, Läntmannen Unibake
• 2012-13: Controller, Rema 1000 Denmark
• 2008-12: Controller and later Finance Manager, Cadbury Stimorol
• 2006-08: Controller, Bestseller
• 2002-06: Accountant, Deloitte

Facts about Signe Lind Jacobsen

• Born in 1982 and raised in Vejle, Denmark
• Lives in the Aarhus suburb of Risskov, Denmark, with her self-employed husband Christian and the couple's two children, aged 10 and 12, plus the family's dog and cat