In the Media
Why the CFO mindset can clash with CEO demands
Michal Jakubowski
Partner, Poland
Michal Jakubowski is an executive search and leadership consultant with over 25 years of senior leadership and board experience in the industrial sector. His work in talent advisory builds on a deep understanding of organizational strategy, governance, and executive performance across construction, manufacturing, and distribution, with strong regional expertise in Poland and Eastern Europe.
Professional Focus
- Experienced executive search and leadership consultant with 25 years in leadership, including executive and board roles
- Specialization in the industrial sector, with deep expertise in construction, manufacturing, and traditional distribution
- Proven track record in executive search, interim leadership and leadership consulting, with expertise in team building, human capital, change management, and organizational development
- Completed projects in Sales, HR, Production, Supply Chain and General Management
- Native Polish, proficient in English, French, Spanish and Russian
Business Expertise
- Partner at a global executive search and leadership consulting firm with strong regional expertise in Central and Eastern Europe
- Partner at a global executive search, business strategy, and leadership development firm
- Managing Director at Saint Gobain Managing Director and Board Member at Tadmar Saint-Gobain Polska, a former Saint-Gobain brand specializing in building systems distribution for construction and installation
- General Manager and Board Member at Saint-Gobain HPM Poland, subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a global leader in solutions for the construction, mobility, and industrial markets; promoted from Sales Director role
- General Manager and Board Member at KNAUF INDUSTRIES, a multinational plastic component manufacturer
- General Manager and Board Member at Pool Spa
Additional Expertise
- Industrial
- Manufacturing
- Construction
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Master of Laws (LLM) from University of Warsaw
- Postgraduate studies in urban, municipal, and spatial planning at Poznan University of Technology
- Postgraduate studies in European industrial management at SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Case Studies
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A Time-Critical CFO Hire for a Scaling, PE-Backed Manufacturer
Boyden partnered with a private equity-backed leader in automated test systems to execute a Partner-led search with disciplined assessment and rapid momentum, identifying a finalist within two weeks and closing the mandate within 60 days.
From Innovation to Execution: Leadership in Power Semiconductor Development
How Boyden placed a strategic SVP to drive e-mobility growth
Breaking Silos, Building Systems: A CTO Search at the Intersection of Tech and Business
How Boyden identified a strategic leader to unify engineering, quality, and commercial outcomes in automotive systems.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
A Regional CEO Search to Realise U.S. Market Potential for a European Family-Owned Business
A European family-owned business approaching generational transition recognized that its U.S. operation required more than continuity—it required growth. The challenge was to redefine leadership for a critical market while navigating family dynamics and cross-border complexity. Here’s how the right appointment helped unlock the company’s U.S. potential.
Articles & Papers
Private Equity's Role in Powering the Energy Transition
As energy markets transform, private equity is driving the transition with diversified portfolios and leaders who can master both legacy and renewable systems.
Boyden Report Series
What’s Next for Industry? AI, Transformation, and the Talent Imperative
Industrial Trends Report: Analysing markets, studies, and trends on how AI, machine learning, and digitalisation are reshaping the industrial sector, with expert insights on talent and leadership from Boyden’s Global Industrial Practice Members.
Articles & Papers
Recruiting Centralized Leadership for a Diversified Family Conglomerate
As a family conglomerate grew in scale and complexity, its decentralized structure began to limit alignment. A generational transition created the opportunity to rethink leadership at the group level. Here’s how introducing centralized leadership brought clarity, coordination, and stronger governance.
Media
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News & Events
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In the Media
Epochal change: Why the automotive industry needs diversity now
In this guest article for the” Top 25 Women” initiative, Jutta Menzenbach of Boyden, an executive search firm, writes about the importance of diversity in the automotive industry to drive economic success.
Press Release
CEE Executives Value Safety and Family Comfort Over Salary When Relocating, New Boyden Study Finds
New Boyden study reveals CEE executives prioritize safety, quality of life, and family integration over salary when relocating, with Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary leading.
Contact Michal Jakubowski today and let's get started