Gurit Holding AG has announced the appointment of Viktor Bernhardt as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective December 1, 2025. The German national will succeed Javier Perez-Freije, whose departure was previously announced for the end of November 2025. This leadership transition represents a significant strategic move for the Swiss composite materials company as it prepares for future growth in an increasingly competitive global market.
Bernhardt brings more than 25 years of international finance and leadership experience to the role, having held senior positions across multinational corporations, private equity portfolio companies, and family-owned businesses. His extensive background in corporate transformation, restructuring, merger and acquisition execution, and strategic growth is expected to be instrumental in guiding Gurit through its next phase of development. The company expressed confidence that Bernhardt will make significant contributions to its financial strategy and overall success, particularly as the industry faces evolving market dynamics.
The new CFO holds a degree in Business Administration from TA Wuppertal in Germany and completed executive education at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. Most recently, Bernhardt served as CFO of the KWC Group, bringing relevant industry experience to his new position at Gurit. His educational background and professional track record position him well for the challenges of leading financial operations at a globally operating specialty materials company that maintains production sites and offices across multiple continents. Additional information about the company's operations can be found at https://www.gurit.com.
In his statement regarding the appointment, Bernhardt expressed enthusiasm about joining Gurit, stating he looks forward to collaborating with the team to drive strong financial performance and contribute meaningfully to the company's long-term success. The appointment comes at a time when global markets for advanced composite materials continue to evolve, particularly in growth sectors such as wind energy, marine applications, and construction. These industries represent key opportunities for Gurit's specialized materials and technologies.
Gurit CEO Tobias Luhrig extended thanks to outgoing CFO Javier Perez-Freije for his dedication and welcomed Bernhardt to the executive team, wishing him success in what he described as a pivotal role. The leadership transition occurs as Gurit continues to serve global growth markets through its international operations. The appointment of an experienced financial leader like Bernhardt signals Gurit's commitment to strengthening its executive team amid evolving market conditions that require sophisticated financial management and strategic planning capabilities.
With his background in financial management and corporate transformation, Bernhardt is positioned to help navigate the company through potential challenges while capitalizing on opportunities in the advanced composites industry. His experience in merger and acquisition execution could prove particularly valuable as the industry continues to consolidate and companies seek strategic partnerships to enhance their market position. The full original release detailing this executive appointment is available on https://www.newmediawire.com.
