Michael Bendik-Poulsen

International Managing Director and COO with 20+ years of leadership experience across industrial operations, commercial growth and business transformation in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Combines full P&L ownership and people leadership with current cross-group responsibility spanning sales, production, sourcing, supply chain, budgets, performance management and organisational change. Built and led Bruun Rasmussen's online-auction business to more than USD 20m in annual sales with full P&L responsibility and a 35-person organisation, while growing international sales to approximately USD 14m.

In the current industrial group role, helped reduce operating costs by 20% while increasing production output by 35%, reducing inventory by DKK 15m and sourcing costs by approximately 40%. Earlier work with Downtown Design provides direct exposure to the furniture and interiors ecosystem, including architects, interior designers, exhibitors, trade organisations and premium product brands. Experienced working with owners, CFOs, managing directors and international stakeholders to translate strategy into measurable commercial and operational results.

Group COO / CVO at S&K GROUP A/S (2021-01 – Present)

Cross-group leadership across three industrial operating companies and a green-tech venture. Work directly with the owner, CFO and managing directors on budgets, performance reviews and execution across sales, production, sourcing, supply chain, finance, HR and IT, with a focus on profitability, working capital and operational performance.

• Helped deliver 15% group revenue growth through commercial coordination, automation and operational optimisation.
• Reduced operating costs by 20% while increasing production output by 35% through organisational redesign, workflow automation and production improvements.
• Reduced inventory from approximately DKK 48m to DKK 33m and reduced sourcing costs by approximately 40% in a core product category through international supplier qualification and sourcing redesign, including new sourcing in India.
• Implemented group-wide CRM, BI/KPI reporting, monthly performance reviews and digital ordering tools, improving visibility of commercial and operational performance across multiple businesses.
• Lead cross-functional transformation through managing directors and functional leaders, aligning commercial priorities, operations, sourcing, finance and organisational change around measurable execution.

Founder / Senior Advisor at MBP CONSULTING APS (2018-02 – 2020-12)

Advised entrepreneurial businesses including Artland and The Return Company on business development, market entry, partnerships and scalable operating models.

• Worked directly with founders to align market demand, commercial priorities, operating models and practical execution from concept through launch.

Chief Executive Officer at INDIA DESIGN FORUM / COCCA ART (2017-05 – 2018-01)

General-management role in a founder-led international design and cultural platform, with P&L responsibility for business performance, organisational development, partnerships and business-model evolution.

• Repositioned the platform toward a more scalable and commercially sustainable model, strengthening international partnerships and developing new growth opportunities.
• Stopped a proposed design-fair launch projected to lose at least USD 2m in its first year and developed a lower-risk festival concept with institutional and commercial partners.

Senior Business Development Manager at ART DUBAI FAIR LLC - ART DUBAI / DOWNTOWN DESIGN (2015-04 – 2017-05)

Led international business development across Art Dubai and Downtown Design, including commercial B2B programmes for exhibitors, architects, interior designers, trade organisations, premium design brands and international partners.

• Developed buyer-engagement programmes and B2B partnerships across international markets, connecting exhibitors and brands with architects, interior designers and professional buyers.
• Secured eight multinational partnership agreements and strengthened the commercial platform through international outreach, relationship development and new revenue opportunities.
• Built relationships across the furniture, interiors and design ecosystem and initiated strategic international collaborations, including with trade and institutional partners.

COO / Head of International Sales at BRUUN RASMUSSEN AUCTIONEERS A/S (2003-10 – 2015-04)

Progressed through operational management into COO and concurrent Head of International Sales responsibilities at one of Scandinavia's leading auction houses, combining full P&L ownership, people leadership, sales, operations, logistics, digital development and international expansion.

• Built and led the online-auction business from launch to more than USD 20m in annual sales, with full P&L responsibility and a 35-person organisation led through middle management.
• Grew international sales to approximately USD 14m annually and expanded commercial activity across Europe, North America and Asia.
• Led cross-functional execution across sales, client service, logistics, marketing, digital development and fulfilment, balancing revenue growth, customer experience and operating discipline.
• Developed international customer and partner relationships in a high-value, design-led market where trust, product expertise, brand and service quality were central to commercial success.

MSc in Strategy, Organisation & Management – Copenhagen Business School (2000 – 2003)

BSc in Business Administration – Copenhagen Business School (2000)