Jiří Ponrt, former CFO of Alza.cz, is joining Pale Fire Capital as Group CFO. His main task will be to manage the group’s finances, support the financial management of individual companies in the portfolio and look for new investment opportunities.
Hard-working, talented and ambitious people with high moral values and a desire to learn grow, help, listen, share know-how and a desire to responsibly build and cultivate our company – these are the kind of people PFC is looking for not only in its portfolio companies but also in its core team.
Jiří Ponrt has many years of experience in corporate financial management, including customer financial services and the implementation of various payment methods, both locally and globally. He was involved in the growth of Alza.cz, where he led finance for 7.5 years and built a team of over 100 people. Together with this team, he was responsible for the introduction of cryptocurrency payments and a number of innovative financial services, including activities for 10 European markets. However, he also worked outside finance for several years in sales and trade marketing, including the role of Sales Director. He managed multi-channel businesses in areas such as FMCG and pharmacy.
“The financial development of the portfolio, the focus on long-term growth and the support of financial management are key for us. We decided to entrust the management of these activities to Jiří Ponrt, as he convinced us with his many years of work experience, expertise and professional qualities, and in addition to this, his personality as a sportsman with a sense of fair-play also fitted well,” said Dušan Šenkypl, Partner at PFC.
“After the last 7+ years in one position, although in a very dynamically growing company, I felt a strong need for change and further growth. I consider joining PFC, especially as a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and also a space to pass on what I have learned in my life so far. My goal will be to help grow the group and the individual companies in the portfolio and support them in achieving their global ambitions. I am looking forward to the diverse team, attractive job content and interesting philanthropic activities that the group is engaged in,” adds Jiří Ponrt, Group CFO of PFC.
Jiří Ponrt graduated from the University of Economics in Prague and ACCA. He has gained experience in financial management, dynamic environment or implementation of innovative services in this country and abroad, for example in the Danone/Nutricia Group, CK Fisher or Alza.cz. Ponrt has been awarded for his activities – in 2016 he was awarded 2nd place in the prestigious TOP CFO competition in the Czech Republic, and a year later he was awarded 3rd place.
Jiří Ponrt is married and has two children. He is an active sportsman, enjoys mountain biking, swimming, skiing and travelling – he is a classic “backpacker”, preferring to travel outside tourist areas.
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