“The best part is solving the task - it’s deeply satisfying to deliver a strong ROI”

Thomas Lendrell is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the restaurant industry, facility management, and healthcare. Over the years, he has held leadership roles at renowned global companies such as 麦当劳 , ISS A/S , and Attendo . He has also served as COO for Danish scale-ups like GORMs and Homemate, as well as successfully managing various consulting and Executive Interim Management assignments. Most recently, Thomas completed an interim assignment at Vestbad.

"Becoming an Executive Interim Manager was one of the biggest changes in my career," Thomas shares. "The best part is solving the task - it’s deeply satisfying to prove it was a good investment to hire me and deliver a strong ROI. As an interim, you experience a steep learning curve and gain insights into diverse industries and organizations. I can apply my previous experiences while constantly adding new tools to my toolbox. I did not plan to become an Interim Manager, but during COVID-19 I had my first interim position, and since then the assignments have kept coming."

Can you tell us about your assignment at Vestbad?

“I was contacted by Nordic Interim DK - A Valtus Company for a role as Interim Manager for Vestbad. The task was to lead a team of 100 employees, ensure stability and direction, maintain operational continuity, and foster a positive and professional culture. One key initiative was reopening outdoor facilities as summer approached. We needed experienced staff, a clear plan, and the right equipment to offer top-tier service. Together, we formed a steering group, developed a structure, and ensured excellence.

When starting an assignment, it’s essential to identify the actual needs and establish strong leadership. By engaging with the organization, I realized they needed better structures and a stronger focus on creating a professional guest experience for the more than 1.000 visitors we welcomed daily. Viewing them as guests rather than clients transformed the team’s mindset.

By the end of the assignment, we had achieved significant milestones: establishing a unified leadership team with motivation and expertise, successfully reopening a critical business unit, improving the customer experience, revitalizing internal communication, and enhancing workplace well-being by six points. These efforts also contributed to a 20% revenue increase, half of which was organic growth. I stayed through the recruitment and handover process to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing stability."

When Should a Company Engage an Executive Interim Manager?

“An Executive Interim Manager has a unique superpower: being fully present in the organization from day one. There are several scenarios where this is invaluable. For example, when there’s an urgent project that requires specific expertise, or if a critical leadership position is vacant during recruitment. If a key leader unexpectedly leaves, engaging an experienced interim manager is often better than promoting someone internally who may not be ready or leaving the position unfilled. In addition to driving the assignment, an interim can define the candidate profile for recruitment, establish necessary structures and processes, and ensure a seamless handover."

How Do You Maintain a Good Work-Life Balance?

“I live in the countryside and enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, and our friends. My kids and I love building with Lego - it’s a shared passion! I also enjoy reading, attending concerts, following sports (especially football), and traveling. Exploring the beauty of your own region is rewarding. This summer, we took a three-week Scandinavian road trip, traveling all the way beyond the Arctic Circle - it was incredible!"