I’m Ruben van Putten, and I work at the intersection of operational reality and strategic ambition. Over 25 years, I’ve led performance improvement in fast-moving organizations. From managing operations during hypergrowth to advising on complex transactions and organizational transformations. My background is unusual: deep operational experience scaling businesses, combined with rigorous academic training in behavioral finance and strategic management. I’ve lived both sides of the advisory equation; as the operator executing under pressure and as the strategist designing the path forward. That perspective shapes how I work: strategies must be analytically sound and executable in messy reality. Strategy & Finance Advisor | Qapital Shifted from operational leadership to advisory work, focusing on M&A support and portfolio value creation. Conduct due diligence and financial modeling for private equity transactions, design integration strategies, and drive operational improvements for portfolio companies. Achieved double-digit EBITDA improvements through systematic restructuring and strategic execution. Key Focus: Transaction advisory, business valuation, portfolio optimization, growth strategy Business Development | ICONS Led strategic growth for a digital services provider serving universities and multinational clients. Directed P&L oversight for €10M+ budgets, expanded client portfolio with consistent 15% year-over-year growth, and launched new ventures generating 20% revenue uplift. Built multi-brand strategy and opened new market segments. Key Achievement: Transformed business model through diversification and strategic market entry Operations Manager | Riwal Hoogwerkers Managed operations, logistics, purchasing, and finance during extraordinary expansion. Directed 60 FTE across four departments while company revenue grew from €15M to €325M. Managed €50M P&L, implemented supply chain improvements reducing costs by 15%, and contributed to acquisition integrations during international expansion. Key Achievement: Built operational infrastructure that scaled 20x revenue growth without breaking My commitment to continuous learning runs parallel to my professional work. I’ve pursued advanced degrees while maintaining operational responsibilities. Not for credentials, but to deepen understanding of what actually drives organizational performance. PhD in Behavioral Finance | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 2020 – Present Executive MSc in Mergers & Acquisitions | Rijksuniversiteit Groningen | 2022 – 2024 Diploma in Financial Strategy | University of Oxford | 2018 – 2019 MSc in Business Administration | Rotterdam School of Management | 2014 – 2017 BSc in Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Saxion University | 2009 – 2012 Most organizational failures aren’t strategy problems, they’re execution problems. The gap between what leadership wants to do and what the organization can actually deliver is where value gets destroyed. I work in that gap. My approach combines rigorous financial analysis with behavioral insight, understanding not just what should change but how to make it stick. Whether evaluating an acquisition, designing growth infrastructure, or building strategic frameworks, I focus on solutions that work in operational reality, not just in presentations. If you’re navigating M&A, scaling under pressure, or facing a strategic transition that doesn’t have a playbook, let’s talk.
Professional Journey
2014 – Present: Strategic Advisory & Investment
2010 – 2021: Commercial Growth & Strategy
1998 – 2010: Operational Leadership During Hypergrowth
Education & Research
Current Research
Researching how informational sequencing affects risk propensity in private equity and venture capital decision-making. Exploring the behavioral factors that influence investment decisions under uncertainty.Academic Foundation
Advanced study in M&A strategy, post-merger integration, and valuation methodologies.
13-month Masters level program for experienced practitioners (Oxford MBA track). Focus on corporate valuation, business finance, and financial growth strategies.
Strategic management, entrepreneurial innovation, and organizational growth. Specialized in financial management.
Executive fast-track program in applied sciences.
What drives my work
Contact me
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