In the section Backstage, interesting personalities from the financial sector and beyond provide insights into their personal preferences every Wednesday.

What do you do first in the morning?

Make coffee.

What is the best thing about your job?

The exciting countries in which we operate and the large, multicultural team. And the fact that almost every day turns out differently than planned.

A moment that changed your life?

The birth of my child.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

Mazda CX-3 – Mazda CX-3.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Find out what you are passionate about – and then make it happen. And don’t be afraid to take a few detours along the way.

What are you particularly proud of?

I led our company out of a crisis in 2022/23 and repositioned it.

What do you do when you have doubts?

If possible: sleep on it for a night and consult with my closest colleagues.

What is your favorite wine?

It used to be Barbera d’Asti – but I no longer drink alcohol. And on the non-alcoholic side, I prefer beer.

What projects are you currently working on?

Three acquisitions in new countries, although certainly not all of them will be realised, as well as the further development of young executives within our group. And, of course, I am constantly working on the further development of the corporate strategy.

What do you admire in other people?

Many different things in many different people. But in general: most other people are more organised than I am. 😊

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to take over your job for a day?

That, in the CEO position, I have neither an assistant nor a secretariat.

What is your personal drive?

I want to enable our small-business clients to obtain the financing they need to realise their projects. And to do so in a decent, sustainable and profitable way for both sides.

What are you afraid of?

Of politicians who are already waging war, regardless of their political persuasion, and who feel backed into a corner.

Your favorite watch brand?

Storm – a brand that may no longer be widely known today.

Is there an unfulfilled dream you would still like to realize?

Yes, absolutely: obtaining a private pilot licence!

Your best investment?

In my child’s education.

Johannes Feist is CEO of MK Global Kapital and a manager in the impact finance industry. Following positions with the Bundeswehr, the University of Munich, the European Commission and KfW, he founded JF Investment Advisory. He is also involved in committees of portfolio companies in several countries.