Meet Fortytwo’s Newest Employee: Espen Stärk Kittilsen
Fortytwo is continuing its growth journey and Nordic expansion, and with that, we are excited to welcome our new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Espen Stärk Kittilsen.
Why Fortytwo?
Espen was drawn to Fortytwo by the company’s combination of ambition, momentum, and people.
«The recent partnership with Credo Partners and the growth plan ahead made this a particularly exciting time to join,» he says.
He also points out the offering Fortytwo brings to the market, by a team of highly experienced and talented people.
«That combination made the decision an easy one.»
What He brings
Espen has a background in finance in regulated financial services.
«In combination with that, I have a hands-on and pragmatic approach to how finance should support the business,» he says.
«My experience has taught me the importance of balancing structure and control with speed and commercial understanding, which I believe is especially valuable in a growing company.”
His ambition at Fortytwo is to help build a finance function that supports strong decision-making and scales alongside the business.
Where He’s been
Espen has extensive experience in advisory and leadership roles within finance. He started his career in investment banking.
«Here, I advised primarily private equity firms on key strategic events, such as capital transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.»
Since then, he has held a leadership role at a fintech startup where he worked across financial reporting, risk management, regulatory matters, and broader strategic initiatives.
«Being part of a small and dynamic organization also meant broad exposure to many aspects of the business beyond traditional finance. That combination of transaction experience and operational leadership has given me a strong foundation that I look forward to building on at Fortytwo.»
Espen outside of work
Espen is a social and active person who enjoys spending time with those around him.
«I spend much of my spare time cycling on Zwift. I also enjoy cooking and hosting dinners. I find this a great way to spend time with family and friends,» he says.
One IT buzzword He’d erase
If Espen could remove one buzzword out there, it would be “Disruptive.”
«It is often used so broadly that it has lost much of its meaning. Truly disruptive companies or products rarely need to describe themselves that way. I generally prefer clear and specific language over labels that can mean almost anything.»
We are truly excited to welcome Espen to the team as our new CFO, and look forward to seeing the impact his experience and leadership will have on Fortytwo as we grow and expand. Welcome!