Matti Kivekas

ADNEC is a diversified business group engaged in events, hospitality, catering, tourism, and media. It organizes events and owns venues in the UAE and the UK (ExCeL London), while also providing event-related services globally. In Abu Dhabi, ADNEC runs both aviation and non-aviation catering businesses and has established a strong presence in the tourism sector across the UAE, UK, and Germany. Additionally, it operates in the media industry through its successful twofour54 business, which provides production services and owns state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor studios and sound stages. With a turnover exceeding USD 1 billion, ADNEC continues to expand its footprint across multiple industries, reinforcing its position as a key player in the global market. • Led 100+ finance professionals across the UAE, UK, and Germany. • Integrated four companies into the Group, resulting in a substantial increase in revenue and profit. • Introduced a new group-wide cost allocation framework. • Reduced monthly reporting cycle from 15 to 3 calendar days and issued year-end financial statements in 27 calendar days instead of 90, with zero audit adjustments. • Strengthened cash flow management by reducing long-outstanding receivables and exceeding year-end collection targets by AED 300M. • Launched a shared services model, concurrently accelerating digitalization and automation in finance and procurement. • Implemented a new financial reporting and consolidation system, further strengthening financial governance and operational efficiency. • Partnered with Segment CEOs to explore new opportunities and unlock untapped growth across regions and businesses. • Led enterprise-wide growth planning initiatives including top-line growth, digital transformation, and cross-pollination between segments.

With seven own Freighters and 150 cargo holds of Saudia Arabian Airlines, Saudia Cargo network covered four continents spanning to 225 international destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the USA. In addition, the Company served 26 domestic destinations in Saudi Arabia. Revenue exceeded USD 1 billion in 2022 with high profitability. • Managed 40 professionals based in Saudi Arabia, supported by outsourced finance teams in the UK and Hong Kong. • Established an automated Rolling Forecasting system, a Board dashboard, and various BI dashboards to enhance operational decision-making. • Implemented Jet Fuel and Forex hedging mechanism. • Improved financial efficiency significantly, with Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) reduced from 138 days to 85 days and the establishment of a robust credit control process. • Reduced long-outstanding intercompany and government debts more than 50%, strengthening our financial position. • Reorganized the finance function, streamlining structure and processes to improve agility and impact. • Secured Board approval to double freighter fleet, enabling future growth and capacity expansion.

Swissport Middle East (SP ME) was a fully owned subsidiary of Swissport International. SP ME operated at 6 airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman. SP ME provided ground handling services at four airports in Saudi Arabia and two in Oman and served over 20 airlines and pursued significant expansion across geographies and service lines in the Middle East. • Directed a regional team of 20 professionals. • Contributed significantly to strategic and business development for the region. • Championed crisis cash flow management, funding, restructuring, and forecasting in the highly unstable aviation industry environment during COVID-19 • Evaluated various strategic options, ranging from market exit to expansion through strategic partnerships or acquisitions. • Collaborated with the commercial team on new tenders and re-tendering. • Advised operations team in efficiency improvement initiatives, ensuring financial and operational resilience during unprecedented challenges.

Saudi Airlines Catering (now Catrion) was a Public listed company, provider of catering, retail (including on-line), hospitality, laundry, security, facility management and accommodation services for Airlines and other industries in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, significant food manufacturing capacity in five sites, 5,000+ employees, turnover USD 600M. • Oversaw 100+ professionals based in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. • Implemented the VAT framework in 2018 and IFRS compliance in 2016. • Led digital transformation by managing and enhancing the IT landscape—including architecture, infrastructure, and application development—successfully implementing Oracle Fusion and Microsoft Dynamics (2016 – 2018). • Oversaw strategic analysis, business plan evaluation, and product pricing across business units. • Facilitated investor relations, including stakeholder engagement, dialogues, and roadshows. • Directed M&A activities, including due diligence, valuation, structuring, and financing. • Took the lead on fundraising efforts, securing long-term financing and working capital to enable sustainable growth and financial resilience. • Influenced the direction of strategy formulation and implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term growth plans. • Advised on high-impact sales cases and business development initiatives, contributing to key deal wins and market expansion.

Multinational, Family-Owned Company, provider of contract catering services in more than 1,300 locations in Scandinavia, 7,000+ employees, Turnover managed EUR 600M, Total Company EUR 1,700M. • Led 50+ finance professionals in Nordic Countries. • Developed business controlling, financial planning, budgeting, and strategy capabilities. • Led and completed two M&A integrations. • Implemented the EVA model, enhancing performance measurement and driving value creation.

• Led a team of 15+ finance and IT professionals at Salcomp Industrial Eletronica da Amazonia Ltda, overseeing group reporting, budgeting, and strategic planning to ensure IFRS compliance. • Managed business control and decision support, playing a critical role as Deputy to the General Manager for Brazil and South America. • Achieved transfer pricing compliance and optimized regional operations, contributing to the company's success.

• Led a team of 15+ finance and IT professionals at Salcomp Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd in Chennai, overseeing group reporting, budgeting, and strategic planning to ensure compliance with IFRS and transfer pricing regulations. • Managed business control and decision support