Skip to main content

Author: Sebastian Storm Pallesen

Christian Steinebach is the New Managing Director of Collectia Germany

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Christian Steinebach as the new Managing Director of our German office. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Christian brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in various industries. His leadership and vision will be instrumental in driving our growth and innovation in the German market. Below, we highlight his professional journey, strategic plans for our German operations, and a glimpse into his personal life.

Professional Credentials

Christian Steinebach joins us with more than thirty years of increasing responsibilities in the professional services industries. His extensive experience includes a successful background in general management within an international environment. Christian’s industry expertise spans telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, financial, and professional services. He has developed pronounced intercultural competence through several years of working abroad in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA.

Most recently, Christian served as the Country Manager and Member of the Group’s Executive Team at Hoist Finance, a Swedish financial services company operating in 11 countries with a focus on debt management. In this role, he was responsible for the general management of the German business, including servicing and sales, and acted as the Managing Director for the German, Austrian, and Romanian practices. His key focus areas included improving operational performance, implementing and stabilizing new standard software, digitalizing services, and starting a nearshore service.

„My extensive international experience has taught me the value of cultural diversity and the importance of adapting strategies to local markets. This approach has been a cornerstone of my management style.“

Prior to that, Christian was the Managing Director for Germany, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe at Sitel GmbH, a US-based company in the customer care market. He was also the Senior Vice President and a member of the global board, reporting to the Group COO and EMEA CEO. Christian successfully managed the region with 14 locations in 5 countries and 6,500 employees, achieving significant milestones such as almost doubling revenue and profitability, securing new global contracts, and transforming the corporate culture to become market-oriented and innovative.

„Driving growth and fostering innovation are not just goals but necessities in today’s competitive environment. My experience at Sitel taught me that success comes from a combination of strategic vision and operational excellence.“

Strategic Vision for the German Market

Christian Steinebach envisions a dynamic future for Collectia Germany, driven by a combination of professional service and technology-enabled leadership. Recognizing the significant potential of the German market for collection management services, Christian aims to substantially grow the business to underscore its importance within the Collectia group. His strategy focuses on three key pillars: growth, integration and harmonization, and operational excellence.

„To thrive in the German market, we need to win new business and deliver clear value to our partners. This means being a major player in our key industries and continually improving our operations.“

To achieve these goals, Christian emphasizes the need to win new business and deliver clear value to business partners, becoming a major player in key industries. He has initiated a continuous improvement program, fostering a culture that embraces change as a positive force for both the company and individuals. Under his leadership, Collectia Germany will strive to be better and more efficient, ensuring that operational excellence remains at the forefront of their endeavors.

„Change is good. By embracing new ideas and technologies, we can create a positive culture that benefits both the company and its employees.“

Personal Insights

“I am results-driven—the truth is in the numbers. But success can only be achieved by the team, which is why we need clear communication and trust in each other. I believe that if we are passionate about something and work hard, we will be successful. Hard work is only possible if you love what you are doing, so I strive to create an atmosphere where people love to come to the office in Deggendorf and Hannover.

 

On a personal note, Christian is married and resides in Potsdam near Berlin. He is a proud father of three sons, two of whom are studying while the third has a family of his own with three daughters, making Christian a grandfather. In his spare time, Christian enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, and hunting. He has also formed lasting friendships in various countries during his career, which he continues to cherish and maintain.

We are excited about the future with Christian Steinebach leading our German operations and look forward to the growth and innovations he will bring to Collectia.

Latest articles

Continue reading

Collectia was upheld by the appeals board – increasing its investment in Norway

The Board of Appeal informed on 7 December that they have overturned the Financial Supervisory Authority’s decision to withdraw the license to carry out debt collection, and Collectia is consequently upheld by the board.

This is good news, and a confirmation that the work and the measures carried out through 2023 have had an effect.

In May, NFSA wanted to withdraw the company’s license to carry out debt collection, based on the inspection carried out in the autumn of 2022. Collectia appealed the case to the board of appeals and on 7 December 2023 the conclusion was in place.

The Appeals Board ruled in favour of Collectia and we are therefore keeping the licence. The tribunal particularly highlights Collectia’s extensive change measures over the past year as a central part of the conclusion.

– It is not surprising that we are keeping the licence, because I firmly believe that the measures that have been implemented have been good and effective. At the same time, we are grateful that the tribunal assessed the company on the basis of the work that has been put in, says Christian Mysen, who was appointed as the new general manager in May of 2023.

In the past year, Collectia has made significant changes at the highest level in the organisation, changing and improving systems, as well as establishing new frameworks for risk management and internal control. The investments made in operations put the company in a very good position for growth in the Norwegian market in the coming years.

– We are now looking ahead to 2024. We have a highly competent organization in place in Norway, a solid group behind us and all the prerequisites to achieve our ambition to become a market leader in the Norwegian market as well.

The investments in infrastructure have been completed, and we are entering the new year with growth ambitions, concludes Mysen.

CEO of Collectia Group, Anders Rosenbeck, is satisfied with the decision of the appeal board and has clear ambitions for growth in the Norwegian market.

– With Christian in place as general manager in combination with heavy operating investments, we have a unique opportunity to grow in the Norwegian market. We have delivered very good results in Sweden and Denmark – now we will carry out the same growth journey in Norway.

Latest articles

Continue reading

Significant Energy Savings: Enough to Power a Home for 3.5 Years

At Collectia, we strive to operate a green workplace and contribute to a sustainable future. Through a series of initiatives, we have reduced our environmental impact in recent years. With our latest effort, we have achieved a 27% energy saving, equivalent to 18,004 kWh in just five months compared to the same period last year. This was partly achieved by installing new light sources with motion sensors. By implementing this solution, we have managed to significantly reduce energy consumption while creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly work environment.

But we don’t stop here. We have taken more steps to promote a greener workplace and drive a sustainable business model.

Reduction in Paper Usage: A Step Towards a Digital Future

Collectia has recognized the historically high paper consumption in the debt collection industry and has therefore taken steps to reduce paper-related activities. This has been done by introducing digital processes, electronic document management, and encouraging conscious paper use.

Did you know that an energy saving of 18,004 kWh is equivalent to:

  • Charging about 900,000 mobile phones from 0% to 100%.

  • Watching around 72,000 hours of streaming.

  • Listening to music for over 1,000 days non-stop without repeating a single song.

  • Powering a typical Danish home with electricity for about 3.5 years, based on an annual electricity consumption of 5,200 kWh (2 adults and 2 young children in a 200 m2 house).

  • Running a washing machine more than 900 times with an average energy consumption of 20 kWh per wash.

These comparisons are based on approximate average values and may vary depending on the specific power consumption of appliances and electricity prices in your area.”

Sustainable Energy for our Buildings and Cars

Another effort is our investment in solar energy at the headquarters in Brøndby. The solar panel system generates sustainable energy for all buildings and contributes to an annual reduction equivalent to 12.8 tons of CO2.

We have also made it easy for our employees and guests to choose environmentally friendly transportation options. Charging stations for electric vehicles have been established in the parking lot of the headquarters. This solution promotes the transition from conventional vehicles with combustion engines to electric vehicles in the company’s car fleet in the parking lot.

Sustainable energy for our buildings and cars
Another effort is our investment in solar energy at the headquarters in Brøndby. The solar panel system generates sustainable energy for all buildings and contributes to an annual reduction equivalent to 12.8 tons of CO2.

We have also made it easy for our employees and guests to choose environmentally friendly transportation options. Charging stations for electric vehicles have been established in the parking lot of the headquarters. This solution promotes the transition from conventional vehicles with combustion engines to electric vehicles in the company’s car fleet in the parking lot.

Utilization of Food Waste and Trash: Creating a Circular Economy

Collectia has focused on waste sorting as part of its efforts to create a circular economy. With modular waste systems in all departments, we ensure that all employees actively participate in waste sorting, contributing to recycling and resource optimization.

In our cafeteria, we have implemented an innovative approach where we actively use leftovers from previous meals to create new and tasty dishes. A special tradition we have introduced is a weekly vegetarian dish and a “leftover day” every Friday, where we serve a delicious meal based on the week’s leftovers. If there is any food remaining, employees are welcome to take it home. This not only reduces waste but also promotes an awareness of the value of fully utilizing food resources.

Employee Involvement: Collective Engagement in a Greener Business

Employee involvement is crucial for Collectia’s green journey, as we recognize that our employees are our most important resource. To ensure their engagement, we have established a digital suggestion box where all employees can contribute their ideas for green initiatives. It’s important that everyone in our organization feels they are working in a progressive company with deeply rooted green values and that their work actively contributes to our common goals.

An inspiring example of employee-driven innovation is our energy-saving project, which was actually initiated based on a suggestion from an employee. Collectia is proud to have a workplace that not only has skilled employees but also passionate ones, working towards our shared vision of a more sustainable future.

We Aim to Lead the Industry

Acting responsibly towards our customers, their customers, our employees, the environment, and society at large is deeply ingrained in our organizational culture. We aim to be a driving force for change and a positive role model for other companies wanting to take steps towards a sustainable and green future. In our view, this approach adds both human and business value.

Latest articles

Continue reading

Redefining Our Corporate Purpose

Collectia has been on an extensive growth journey both in terms of acquisitions but also organically. We have evolved and improved the business, so we find it essential to revisit our purpose. Therefore, we can finally announce our new mission, vision, and values for Collectia, which will ensure a link between our long-term plans for the future of Collectia and our short-term tasks.

The Collectia Way

Our vision is to be known as the leading digital, efficient, and fair partner in the European credit management industry. Our mission is to support a healthy economy by handling debt collection professionally, respectfully, and fairly. We offer full transparency to our customers and debtors, aspire to be the frontrunners in digital development, and offer communication platforms and easy payment solutions.

Our Values

Our vision and mission don’t stand alone without securing our culture within the organization is able to achieve it. Therefore, we encourage everyone to be passionate, respectful, innovative, and transparent.

 01 Passionate The employees of Collectia are dedicated and passionate. They devote themselves to their work and are enthusiastic. We want our customers to feel our commitment and therefore it is of great importance to train employees to develop the right attitude and approach.

0Respectful We respect the individuals we help in their current situation. This applies to debtors who we advise on how to handle their bad debt, customers who rely on Collectia to help them collect their debt, and our employees to whom Collectia provides a positive work environment built on trust, equality, and diversity.

03 Innovative We evaluate our processes and systems continuously. We are curious to find new and better approaches, to think differently, and be at the forefront of new trends. It shows in the way we work with data and process digitalization, as well as our ongoing optimization efforts.

04 Transparent Being transparent makes it easier for employees, customers, and debtors to collaborate on shared objectives. At Collectia, we also believe that transparency builds relationships, increases productivity, and creates trust among people.

Latest articles

Continue reading

We Make History: War-torn Lebanon Gets Solar Farms

Sustainability and social responsibility are deeply rooted in Collectia’s DNA. Being headquartered in one of the world’s greenest countries, we feel obligated to take the lead in reducing emissions beyond our borders. That’s why we partnered with Xplora and United Cities, launching a worldwide project in early 2022 to turn physical activity into humanitarian work.

The first step on the way has been to help the war-affected Lebanese in Bchaaleh with the life-saving project “Net Zero in 12 months”. The Net Zero project is about creating a carbon-neutral Bchaaleh in 12 months, using donations in the form of steps. All steps donated are converted into real funds, which go directly to solar farms in the city.

Why Lebanon?

Lebanon has a weakened national economy and suffers from a massive energy shortage, meaning they only have access to 2 hours of electricity daily.

In addition to having insufficient access to electricity, Lebanese use polluting diesel generators, which are an unsustainable solution for their lives and the climate challenges the entire world faces. Science clearly shows that to avert the worst climate changes and preserve a habitable planet, limiting the emissions that cause global warming is necessary.

Change is necessary. First and foremost, for the local population and the world. We are all in this together.

We want to contribute to the knowledge of local people and to a process that will enable them to change the current situation. We want to give them the opportunity to build on our efforts afterward.

A Bright Future for the Lebanese

We are proud to announce that we have reached our goal in Bchaaleh, thanks to 11,894 participants who generously donated a total of 1.5 billion steps via the Xplora app. All these steps have led us to start the establishment of solar farms on 1 September, and since then, the project has been moving forward. The installation is expected to be completed by mid-December 2022, and with the increased amount of electricity, will enable more productive working hours, better healthcare, better learning environments, sustainable food production, and new business opportunities.

Solcellepark i Libanon - Xplora og Collectia - Net Zero

Development of the solar plant in Bchaaleh, Lebanon.

Latest articles

Continue reading

New CEO Announcement

I want to inform you that I will be stepping down as CEO of the company, effective August 1st. Anders Rosenbeck, an experienced business leader who has worked in senior roles in the financial and technology sector, has been appointed as the company’s new CEO.

Exactly 21 years ago, I joined the Collectia family and started my exciting and challenging journey with the company. I have seen how a small Danish company could grow into a pan-Nordic IT company with a focus on credit scoring and credit management services. We have grown from 50 employees in Denmark to almost 300 employees across our offices in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Germany.

I am very proud of our way of doing business. At Collectia we have a core set of values based on integrity and respect. Acting responsibly towards our customers and their debtors, our employees, the environment, and society, in general, is deeply embedded in the Collectia organization and culture. Further, we have a leading proprietary IT platform, CollectIT / C-Work, which allows us to deliver more for our customers including faster payments and higher collection rates. I will continue being a part of the Collectia Group as a board member, and I look forward to still being part of our company’s continuous growth and success.

A big thanks to all our customers across the group. I am delighted that you have chosen us as your supplier for such an important part of your business.

Welcome to Anders Rosenbeck

Anders has a Master of Civil Engineering from DTU and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from CBS. For the past 20 years, Anders has worked in the financial sector focusing on business development and technology. Most recently, Anders has been CEO of Tia Technology, servicing insurance companies in 25 countries. The company, owned by the private equity fund EQT, was sold at the end of 2020.

Anders is 52 years old and lives with his wife and the two youngest of their three children.

Anders is looking forward to meeting many of the customers as soon as possible.

Best regards, Christian la Cour Valentin

Latest articles

Continue reading

Qatchr is Now Live! Introducing Our Own Credit Rating Platform

We are incredibly pleased to announce the launch of our new credit rating platform, Qatchr!

The user-friendly platform gives our users complete and accurate insight into the financial situation of their customers and suppliers. Qatchr is the safety net that forms the framework for safe and profitable credit relationships. We help prevent financial loss in several different ways. In addition to offering a user-friendly credit rating tool, we also help companies monitor their customer database.

Features and Services

Below you can see some of the many features and services we offer our users:

  • Credit check companies
  • Credit check private customers
  • Company monitoring
  • Blacklist
  • Data wash
  • KYC

Who is Qatchr?

At Qatchr, we understand the seriousness of receiving payment when you have delivered a service or product – so you can continue to focus on the development and operation of your business. However, as a company, you will inevitably encounter customers, suppliers, or partners who have trouble regarding their economy. Not only is it annoying or frustrating, but it can also be harmful and destructive to the individual business in the long run. That is why we have developed a credit tool and debt register, which allows you to credit assess companies and private customers via a user-friendly online platform. We see ourselves as the safety net that can help companies avoid bad payers in advance and thus secure their business against financial losses.

Latest articles

Continue reading

Collectia Day 2022

Yesterday we held Collectia Day 2022, where we met with our clients and suppliers for an exciting and eventful day filled with good speakers, which we enjoyed in good surroundings.

A big thank you to Jeppe Juul Borre (Arbejdernes Landsbank), Mads Nørgaard Madsen (PWC), Daniel Bremann and Victor Byrholt from Collectia, as well as Sunny Cagara (magician), who delivered good and inspiring speaks that we will remember for a long time.

A Recurring Event

Once a year we invite clients and suppliers to Collectia Day. The days consists of networking and interesting speaks from people from the Danish business community.

Latest articles

Continue reading

Acquires Norwegian Debt Collection Company

Back in March, we were pleased to announce that we had acquired Kredinor in Denmark as a part of our expansion strategy. We are pleased once again because we are welcoming yet another strong player to the Collectia Family. This time we are strengthening our position in the Norwegian market, where we have acquired the well-established debt collection company, Equity Gruppen AS. In recent years, the company has proven to be a fast-growing company with a focus on digitization and good IT integrations for various accounting programs – an approach that Collectia generally possesses, as we also see the clear link between invoicing services and the subsequent follow-up.

As previously communicated, Collectia Group already owns the Norwegian debt collection company Crone AS. The companies will merge and become Collect AS. The merger will enable Collectia to establish itself as an even more solid and stronger player in the Norwegian market, where we already serve many customers.

“We see the acquisition of Equity Group as a huge opportunity for all parties. The synergy effect of this makes it possible to take larger shares of the Norwegian and Nordic markets – while at the same time safeguarding the values ​​that underlie the two companies,” says Otto Havneraas, CEO of Crone AS.

A Perfect Match

The two Norwegian companies complement each other in several ways. With their different customer segments, they will complement each other and cover a larger share of the market in different industries. They will also benefit from each other’s strengths, which include different technological solutions, solid sales teams, and established co-operation across the Nordic borders. Benth Walmestad, CEO of Equity Gruppen AS, explains that the new ownership will be positive for both existing customers, partners, and employees.

“We want to provide the same services with the same people, but with an expanded product range, now also throughout the Nordic region. Through the Collectia system, we will continue to be very competitive – and not least be even better equipped for the changes and technological challenges that come in the future”, says Walmestad.

How Does it Affect the Customers?

For customers who do not use our Norwegian department to recover Norwegian claims, the acquisition has no effect. But for those, who use the Norwegian department, will experience a better service in the form of optimized and streamlined collection solutions. Christian la Cour Valentin, CEO of Collectia Group, adds:

“The Equity Group is a very attractive partner for Collectia to acquire and diversify our Norwegian presence. We are pleased to welcome the Equity Group to the Collectia Group and believe that we can deliver even better products and services across our markets together.”

Latest articles

Continue reading

Kredinor Becomes a Part of the Collectia Family

It is with great pleasure that we can inform you, that we on the 31st of March acquired the Danish part of Kredinor (formerly known as KIS) as part of our ambitious expansion strategy.

At Collectia, we are incredibly proud to welcome another strong player to the Collectia Family. We are convinced that the acquisition will complement our existing business, positively support our further development, and create even more value for our customers.

We are getting about 40 new but experienced colleagues who will add new knowledge and additional manpower to our growing organization, as well as further strengthen our position in the Danish market. We believe that there is a great similarity between our values, corporate culture, and business conduct, which is just one of the reasons why Kredinor is a strategically good match.

We will focus on exploiting the underlying synergies, but at the same time continue with the things that Kredinor and Collectia are each good at.

How does the acquisition impact the customers?

We continue the business as before. This means that the case processing continues unhindered, and we will make sure that the customers are kept up to date on an ongoing basis. The acquisition will only have a positive impact on our customers. We will optimize our current solutions and be able to provide an even better service in the future.

At Collectia and Kredinor, we look positively ahead, as we see integration as a fantastic opportunity to offer the Danish market an even better product.

We are also opening an office in Finland

The Kredinor acquisition is part of our growth strategy in Denmark, but we are also expanding our business in our other markets – most recently with the acquisition in Germany. At the beginning of the year, we added the German company Dr. Duve Inkasso into our group. Now we are also able to announce that we will have our own office in Finland per. April 12th, 2021. Thus, we will also be able to service our customers who have customers in Finland with our own office.

Latest articles

Continue reading