Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, who will take up his new position as head of the leading provider of high-end AV solutions on 1 August, is an exceptionally experienced business leader on an international level. As a trained engineer from the Technical University of Denmark, he also has the hands-on technical experience required to oversee the innovative research and development environment which has been one of the hallmarks of Bang & Olufsen ever since the world renowned company was founded and incorporated by the two young engineers Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen in 1925.

"The strong Bang & Olufsen brand is based on technology and design innovation," says Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, who sees the appointment to President and CEO as the culmination of a career dedicated to high tech R&D and top management. Therefore, the position at the helm of Bang & Olufsen suits him down to ground, and is in fact something of a dream come true: "Bang & Olufsen is a Danish icon and in every respect a unique company and fascinating brand," adds Kalle Hvidt Nielsen.

From engineer to business leader
After graduating from the Technical University of Denmark, Kalle Hvidt Nielsen completed a BA of Commerce degree in marketing while working as a software developer for i-Data International A/S from 1987 to 1996.

He then worked as Head of R&D at Mach A/S (formerly known as DanNet A/S), before being headhunted by Brüel & Kjær A/S in 1998, where he was appointed President and CEO only four years later, in 2002. "The six years that I have spent in this position have given me a lot of experience in managing a large international organization that produces high tech products, and in this respect my current position is not that different from the top job at Bang & Olufsen," explains Kalle Hvidt Nielsen. 

At Brüel & Kjær, a world leading manufacturer and supplier of sound and vibration solutions, the 44-year-old business leader worked as Head of Business Development before being promoted to Deputy Chief Executive responsible for research and development as well as a large marketing department with more than 20 subsidiaries worldwide. As CEO and President of Brüel & Kjær, he has managed an organisation of some 900 employees, including 100 developing engineers, since 2002.

Focus is essential
In the experience of Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, it is essential for an innovative company to remain focused. At Brüel & Kjær, he has sharpened the focus of the company by identifying the products that would improve the business, and by developing and implementing an ambitious but realistic business plan. At the same time, Kalle Hvidt Nielsen has made sure that the focus was always on the customer: "Technological and innovative companies sometimes focus too much on what the company is currently capable of producing. At Brüel & Kjær, we steered clear of this by focusing 100 percent on the customer and the customer's needs."

Kalle Hvidt Nielsen is looking forward to being at the helm of the world's leading AV brand. "I am really looking forward to bringing Bang & Olufsen forward in collaboration with creative and professional colleagues both in Denmark and abroad," says Kalle Hvidt Nielsen, who is confident about the many strengths of the company: "The potential of Bang & Olufsen is absolutely unique, and I now look forward to having the opportunity to realize this potential."