Almuth Steinkühler is the financial director of Schott Pharma, who designs medication containment products and drug delivery systems for pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, since August 2022. Originally a division of the Schott glass manufacturer, the company has become public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2023. Steinkühler worked previously at Thyssenkrup and Continental AG.
Global finance:: What was the greatest challenge of your mandate as a financial chief of Schott Pharma, taking into account his new status as a public company?
Almuth Steinkühler: With hindsight, the past few years have been incredibly dynamic and rewarding for Schott Pharma as well as for me as a person. I would underline three distinct phases, each presenting its own unique challenges. Initially, it was a question of laying the foundations: the establishment of Schott Pharma as an independent company with all its processes, structures and new departments. Fundamental work has been crucial for our success.
After having taken this stage, my goal went entirely to the process of becoming a public and building a faithful and united investor base while taking our employees with us on this trip. I can tell you that our successful initial public offer [IPO] was a great success.
However, for a financial director, the real case begins on the first day after the day of the list. From this moment, the main challenge is to achieve strong growth and expansion of margins for our company: something we have been able to deliver, especially in a difficult market environment.
Girlfriend:: What has absorbed most of your energy in the past 12 months, and why?
Steinkühler: I have devoted the majority of my time and energy to the management of Schott Pharma’s first steps as a public company, which, as one could imagine, requires a lot of attention and strategic surveillance. With my team, I focused on telling our story of equity with investors and the public, ensuring that our vision and our potential are clearly understood and appreciated.
At the same time, we have managed a huge process of change. We worked to create a solid commitment to our internal IPO, by punching information flows and adapting to the new dynamic of being a listed business.
Girlfriend:: How important is it important to have a high-level team, and what do you do to get it?
Steinkühler: A solid team is the most important factor in providing coherent results. Being new on public procurement and constituting teams at the same time is not easy. But with the right spirit, it can work.
For me, it starts with hiring for attitude: finding people who have the ambition to improve processes and always keep an eye on the result. Then, this continues with confidence: giving them room to exploit their expertise and skills while allowing them to take responsibility. We have many of these people at Schott Pharma and their commitment and their dedication is what makes us success.
Girlfriend:: How do you see artificial intelligence in the evolution of finance? How can AI be the most useful?
Steinkühler: AI has a great opportunity in the field of finance, mainly because it facilitates the use and analysis of large amounts of data. By making data easily accessible to a large audience, AI allows individuals to quickly extract valuable information.
I believe that this change will transform the financing of the simple supply of analyzes to allow others to work more effectively with the data. Essentially, this will give us a more complete understanding of the overview and arouses greater creativity. Although it is crucial to ensure that data property and security remain important priorities, the benefits of AI will shape the future of finance.
Girlfriend:: What is up to you at night?
Steinkühler: I think of how to ensure the success and continuous growth of Schott Pharma, how to maintain the confidence of investors and stakeholders, and how to sail in the environment of the complex market. But that’s what makes me dream at night and motivates me for the day. We are very well positioned in an intact market with solid megaathers and have great prospects for the future. Therefore, we are ready and well in progress to execute our strategy.