WHO I AM
I am Hans van der Zande – an entrepreneurial CFO and consultant with broad experience at scale-ups and private equity-owned companies.
After a BIG4 consulting career and several CFO roles at fast-growing organizations, I founded Start 2 Scale to help companies achieve sustainable growth. I believe in the power of focus, insight, and structure to stimulate growth and keep it manageable.
MY APPROACH
Strategic and analytical, yet practical and people-oriented. I help management teams find direction and rhythm in their growth, offering support that goes beyond advice— from strategy to execution .
My project approach is tailored to the specific needs and requirements, with the goal of ensuring that the company's employees own the outcomes and changes and can continue to leverage them. Therefore, I collaborate closely with founders, management teams, and investors to achieve true results.
WHO I WORK FOR
-
Founders and scale-ups who want to professionalize.
-
CFOs looking for temporary reinforcement or fresh insights.
-
Private equity firms seeking to accelerate value creation in their portfolio companies.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Start 2 Scale
Consultant & Fractional CFO
May 2020 - present
Secondary education
CFO & Interim CEO
Sep 2023 - Aug 2025
Scaling up | Business plan | Cost reduction and restructuring | M&A
AI Health tech
CFO fractional
June 2021 - August 2023
Scaling up | Management reporting | Integration and restructuring | Funding and M&A
Edu tech
CFO fractional
Mar 2020 - May 2022
Scaling up | Management reporting | Forecasting | Cash management | Funding
Media app
CFO fractional
Mar 2020 - Feb 2022
Management reporting | Business planning | Finance process optimization
Multi-channel jewellery
CFO
March 2018 - March 2020
Scaling up | Management reporting | Forecasting | Finance process optimization | Funding
Multi-channel fashion
Business control manager
June 2012 - May 2018
Management reporting | Forecasting | Financial modeling | Refinancing | Business plan
BIG-4 Consultant
Manager
Sep 2006 - Jun 2012
Management reporting | Financial modeling | Restructuring | Cash and working capital management | Finance process optimization
As a Consultant and fractional CFO, I support scale-ups and private equity-owned companies with their growth plans and financial challenges.
Market leader in supplementary education in the Netherlands - Private equity-owned.
The main challenges were the lack of a shared vision and strategy, an unrealistic business plan, unclear priorities, and excessive costs following a drop in revenue. In response, a One-Page Strategic Plan and a new business plan were developed, quarterly priorities were introduced, a cost-cutting program was implemented, and loss-making divisions were sold or closed.
​
Mission-driven AI scale-up focused on early detection of lung cancer
Initially involved in round B financing and strengthening the finance function, which ultimately led to a successful sale to a strategic partner. Further projects included developing a One-Page Strategic Plan, establishing the MT structure and rhythm, and improving forecasting, management information, and HR and finance processes. The final project involved restructuring and integrating the AI division within the parent company.
​
Developer of training simulation software for seafarers and emergency services - Family business.
Hired to ensure continuity after COVID-19 impact and liquidity problems. Gained insight with cash flow and 12-month rolling forecasts, negotiated payment deferrals, and secured additional financing. Implemented the Scaling Up methodology and improved financial planning and control processes.
​
TV Application Developer - Scale-up driven by broadcasters
Key projects included developing a business plan, reporting to stakeholders, and optimising and partially outsourcing financial administration.
E-commerce and B2B jewelry scale-up - Angel investor.
Professionalization of all financial processes to support growth, including ERP implementation. Establishment of management reports, cash flow, and financial forecasts. Implementation of working capital and bridging financing. Introduction of the Scaling Up methodology.
​
Retail, Wholesale and E-commerce international fashion brand, PE owned
Engaged by the PE owner to implement shareholder reporting, rolling forecasts, budgeting, and cash flow forecasting. Supported the strategy process and implemented the business planning and review cycle, including management reporting and dashboards. Involved in multiple bank refinancing rounds.
Transaction services and management consulting practice.
At EY and KPMG, I worked as a manager specializing in cash flow and working capital management projects across diverse sectors, including retail, telecom, fashion, manufacturing, and construction. Other projects involved management reporting, budgeting and forecasting, finance process optimization, and restructuring. In 2010, I worked for nine months in London as part of the UK Cash and Working Capital team.