Stefan Haase

Seasoned strategy, commercial and innovation experience in FS, FinTech, EnterpriseTech, AI and Tech with widely recognised entrepreneurial skills in identifying new market opportunities, optimising new business development, driving customer-facing programmes, designing target operating models and generating innovative solutions to support demanding B2B markets.

Whitecap Consulting, leeds, UK: 2017 – present 

Director

An experienced strategy and commercial advisor with over 25 years in the fast-moving tech sector and involved from the outset with the emergence of the internet, cloud, SaaS, IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and digital transformation in sectors incl. Higher Education, Financial Services, Tech & Digital, FinTech, CleanTech and HealthTech. Projects ranged from innovation and growth strategies to ecosystem analysis, market assessment, business requirements analysis, end to end technology analysis or digital transformation strategies.

Whitecap projects include:

Unisys - developing the UK/EMEA FinTech strategy and proposition.

Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank - SME FinTech requirements analysis and proposition.

Extensive work with 40%+ of UK Building Societies – Tech supplier / service provider selection, technology strategy reviews, tech projects and core banking platform refresh projects.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Estonia - developing the UK export and UK to Estonian FDI strategies in fast growth sectors.

University of York – Created the York Accelerator Report aligned to the University’s and York’s key strengths and key innovation activities in the Northern Powerhouse and the UK. 

Infinity Works / Accenture- Market proposition review for fast growing tech-driven organisational transformation specialist.

Sunderland University –Conducted a feasibility study for the development of a potential Health Innovation Zone aimed at fostering sustainable healthcare and HealthTech innovation, while driving economic growth in Sunderland and the wider North East.

University of York - Review of the York Science Park, mapping against comparable science parks and innovation hubs (both in the UK and international) to outline the As-Is Situation and the Future State.

Private Equity Partner Projects – Commercial due diligence for a wide range of PE backed investments in a range of fast growth sectors such as FinTech, CleanTech, EnterpriseTech etc.

FinTech North - supporting our subsidiary which connects the Northern FinTech ecosystem through regional events since 2017

UK market entry strategies for Nordic and Baltic innovators such as Noda Systems, Asseco, Evondos, Econans, Taktikal, Vilja Solutions etc

Strategy4growth, york, UK: 2015 – 2017 

Director

Driven by a passion to facilitate business strategy and growth and to direct cross-functional teams in innovative and growth-oriented business activity I'm helping medium and large sized business to achieve their growth potential.
Some customers we are working with are:

Tech companies trying to make the leap from start-up to a mature medium sized business

Services companies who have achieved modest growth but are looking to accelerate the path to becoming a corporate business

Tech companies looking to break into new markets - UK or EMEA

Software vendors who look to convert their business strategy to a "cloud-first" model

Strategy 4 Growth assists clients with their specific business challenges by observing their business from the outside thus adding a neutral dimension to creating or fine-tuning the business strategy.

InTechnology plc / Redcentric plc, Harrogate, UK - 2002 – 2015

A leading provider of a wide range of managed IT services to a UK corporate client base. 

Product Director, 2010-2015

In charge of managing both sales efforts and product management with a team of 10 cross-discipline professionals. Continually forming and delivering the company’s product strategy to meet client requirements in a rapidly-changing marketplace. Continuous client engagement in strategic new business and existing accounts with particular emphasis on and success in the fast growing public sector segment. Driving key customer and partner relationships from both a strategic engagement and technical service point of view.

Tasked with leading and successfully closing major public and commercial sector cross business bids, whilst optimally deploying technical architects and operational staff.

Headed up the fastest growing cloud service segments with business won growing from £5m (2012) to £7.5m (2013), £14m (2014) and £20.7m (2015).

Marketing Director, 2008-2010

Established the firm as a thought leader in the fast-growing cloud service niche with a group of 7 product marketers, online marketing managers, marketing staff and a £1.2 million budget. Instituted a clear online marketing strategy to generate 50% of all new business leads.

Product Manager – Data Services, 2002-2008

Established a clear P&L account to identify and recover significant cost savings. Vastly improved the vendor management process and ensured that all customer requirements were met through future technology releases.

Energis Squared plc, Leeds, UK: 1999 – 2002 

European Product Manager

Responsible for developing and rolling out a group-wide product strategy for all Internet-related services. Closely liaised with all European business units to help achieve all growth targets set by the UK HQ. Instrumental in assisting with due diligence for the £500 million acquisition of an important German Internet service provider.

Alpha Telecom Ltd., London, UK: 1998 – 1999 

International Marketing Manager

Headed up marketing campaigns through offices in London, Zurich and Frankfurt for a wide array of voice telephony products in a newly deregulated European telecommunication marketplace. Continually worked to control cost centres efficiently and procure optimal services.

MSc in Management Studies, York University

BA (Hons) in Communications Studies, Sheffield Hallam University.