Experience that connects perspectives.
Thinking entrepreneurially. Advising personally.
Kraan & Associates has been active in the market since 1998. Today, our interdisciplinary advisory team combines many years of experience in corporate leadership, leadership advisory, executive search, M&A, and private equity.
→ Our partners and senior advisors combine industry knowledge, functional management experience, and transaction expertise — and personally guide our clients through important entrepreneurial turning points.
PERSONAL. ENTREPRENEURIAL. INTERNATIONAL.
OUR APPROACH TO ADVISORY
Direct guidance from experienced partners.
Experience and trust are crucial in sensitive succession, leadership, and transaction matters. Our clients work directly with experienced partners and senior advisors.
→ Personal commitment, short decision paths, and well-established industry and expert networks characterize the way we work together.
PERSONAL COMMITMENT
Direct guidance from partners and senior advisors throughout the entire mandate.
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Experience from our own management, entrepreneurial, and transaction practice.
CONNECTED
Direct access to entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.
EXPERIENCE. ACCESS. EXECUTION.
PARTNER & SENIOR ADVISORS
Complementary experience.
Dipl.-Kfm.
Pieter Kraan
MANAGING PARTNER
Pieter Kraan combines many years of experience in corporate leadership, leadership advisory, executive search, and M&A. He has been Managing Partner of Kraan & Associates since 1998, initially focusing on leadership and executive search, and since 2014 also in M&A. Previously, he was CEO of RWTÜV’s investment holding company, where he was responsible for equity investments and oversaw M&A transactions and their integration. He was also a partner at S&P Mergers & Acquisitions for twelve years, working within the international M&A Worldwide network, as well as a partner at AC Alpha Management, a pioneer of interim management in Germany, for eight years.
He gained international management and advisory experience in Europe, the USA, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. His focus is on entrepreneurial succession, growth, and transaction matters, as well as connecting companies, investors, and executives.
Industry focus
Telecommunications & IT · Business Services & TIC · Capital Goods · Industry
Management · Executive Search & Interim Management · M&A & PMI · Business Development & Internationalization
Languages
German · English · Dutch · Spanish
Herbert August Bockers
SENIOR ADVISOR
Herbert August Bockers has many years of international leadership experience in telecommunications, IT, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity. His previous leadership positions include ten years as CEO of Dimension Data Germany, five years as COO of Dimension Data Asia Pacific with responsibility for 13 countries, and CEO Global Shared Services at NTT. His management experience spans Europe, the USA, Latin America, and Asia.
He also has extensive experience in M&A and post-merger integration. Today, he supports companies and leadership bodies with strategic and operational questions, transformation, and M&A. He is also a Board Member of ETEK International Corporation, an internationally active cybersecurity systems integrator.
Industry focus
Telecommunications · IT · Digital Infrastructure · Cybersecurity
Functional experience
Management · Technology · M&A · Transformation
Languages
German · English
Dr. Dirk Dembski
SENIOR ADVISOR
Industry focus
Management · Portfolio Management · M&A & PMI · Corporate Development
German · English
Marcel Laermann
SENIOR ADVISOR
Marcel Laermann has many years of management experience in industrial and manufacturing companies. Among other roles, he served as CFO of the paper manufacturer KPPP GmbH. His focus areas are finance, supply chain, operations, and the operational development of companies.
Industry · Manufacturing
German · English
Gerald Zwerger
SENIOR ADVISOR
Gerald Zwerger combines many years of entrepreneurial experience with strong expertise in sales, marketing, and growth. As an independent entrepreneur and investor, he has particular experience in marketing, sales, e-commerce, and venture capital. His focus is on developing companies, markets, and growth strategies.
Mechanical Engineering · Trade & Consumer Goods · E-Commerce
Corporate Strategy · Sales & Marketing · Growth · Business Development
German · English
Marcel Laermann
SENIOR ADVISOR
Sector Expertise
Functional Expertise
INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIVITY
Rooted in DACH.
Internationally experienced and connected.
Our focus is on the German-speaking mid-market. At the same time, our partners and senior advisors have many years of international management, advisory, and transaction experience, as well as well-established relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and executives in Europe and beyond.
This combination of our own international experience and personal network allows us to support leadership and M&A mandates across borders, and to create targeted access to relevant decision-makers and opportunities.
DACH
Our core market and long-standing focus
EUROPE
Established relationships, particularly in the Benelux region and the UK, as well as other European markets
INTERNATIONAL
Our own management experience and access to executives, companies, and investors worldwide
CONTACT
WHAT’S ON YOUR AGENDA?
We treat your inquiry confidentially, of course. It will be answered personally by one of our partners or senior advisors.
