Jeg mødte Knud igennem mit netværk, og har derigennem fulgt hans rejse fra leder i Ørsted, til direktør i en IT-virksomhed og til nu, hvor han er selvstændig. Igennem mit netværk hvor jeg lærte Knud at kende fandt jeg ud af, at vi deler mange af de samme værdier og syn på, hvordan man driver en god og sund forretning gennem nærværende ledelse. Det og Knuds brede kompetencesæt og erfaring gjorde, at han kom i mine overvejelser til nye potentielle bestyrelsesmedlemmer i min virksomhed EVR A/S, der operer som Danmarks største udbyder af vinduespolering.

Vi trængte til at få analytiske og strategiske inputs i forhold de muligheder, som vi stod over for. Her har Knud allerede efter kort tid bidraget meget og fuldt ud levet op til de forventninger, som vi begge satte i forbindelse med at aftalen faldt på plads.

Udover at være bestyrelsesmedlem i dag, så stoppede Knud som direktør i IT-virksomheden for at starte selvstændigt med Karkov Partners. Det gav Knud den fleksibilitet, som skulle vise sig at blive en fordel for os, da det gjorde, at han kunne træde mere aktivt ind som bestyrelsesmedlem. Knud tilbød sin hjælp operationelt i forhold til tæt ledelsesrådgivning ud fra et strategisk perspektiv. Det kunne ikke passe bedre ind i vores forretning, og vi har igen forventningsafstemt klart og tydeligt, hvad dette arbejde indebærer og hvad vi kan forvente gensidigt at få ud af det.

Knud har et bredt kompetencesæt, som kan tilpasses til dine behov. For vores vedkommende druknede vi ikke i drift, men derimod havde vi behov for tæt strategisk sparring på øverste ledelsesniveau.

Så uanset om du drukner i drift eller har behov for en strategisk partner, så kan jeg klart anbefale dig at række ud til Knud.

Adm. Direktør, EVR

Det har været en stor fornøjelse at have Knud Ho Karkov som direktør for 2do IT Vest gennem de seneste 14 måneder. Knud har fra første dag udvist et imponerende engagement, nysgerrighed og en tydelig lyst til at gøre en forskel – både for organisationen og for de mennesker, han arbejder sammen med.

Med sin rolige og betænksomme facon har Knud formået at skabe tillid og ro omkring sig, samtidig med at han har drevet forandring og udvikling. Han har været en central drivkraft i, at vi som virksomhed har rykket os markant – både strategisk og procesmæssigt. Det mærkes tydeligt, at vi i dag står et helt andet sted end for 14 måneder siden, og at vores fælles forståelse af, hvem vi er som virksomhed, er blevet skærpet og styrket.

Knud har ikke blot været en leder, men også en sparringspartner og kulturbærer, som har været med til at klæde os andre på til at fortsætte rejsen med fornyet energi og ro i maven.

Jeg giver Knud mine varmeste anbefalinger – både som leder, kollega og menneske.

Direktør og partner, 2do IT Vest

Fra første møde med Knud fra Karkov Partners blev jeg bevidst om de faldgruber, man som ejerleder let overser i hverdagen, men som er afgørende, hvis virksomheden skal vokse sundt og professionelt.

Ledelsespartner Fundament-forløbet har givet mig en tydelig positionering, klare rammer omkring ansvar og handelsbetingelser samt et solidt juridisk og strategisk fundament for Linhardt & Hansen. Det har skabt overblik, retning og et langt stærkere beslutningsgrundlag i hverdagen.

Sparringen har været skarp, ærlig og handlingsorienteret, og jeg er meget tilfreds med både processen og resultatet.

Som en del af forløbet har jeg desuden fået udviklet ny visuel identitet og hjemmeside, så fundament og udtryk hænger sammen.

Jeg kan klart anbefale Karkov Partners til andre ejerledere, der ønsker at opbygge deres virksomhed på et solidt og gennemtænkt fundament.

Indehaver, Lindhardt & Hansen ApS

It’s been a real privilege working with Knud during his time as CEO of 2do IT Vest. He created structure, clarity, and genuine focus on people. Knud’s leadership provided a significant boost in performance across the company.

We are now more aligned thanks to his consistent and transparent organizational updates. Leadership is stronger with defined roles and processes. The culture evolved to align more closely with the company’s mission and vision, strengthening collaboration within the team and with our clients.

Knud led with empathy and conviction. He navigated tough transitions with honesty and care while always focusing on long-term growth.

I wish him all the best in his next chapter with Karkov Partners, and I am grateful for the lasting impact he’s left behind at 2do IT Vest.

Development Team Lead, 2do IT Vest

Knud has been my mentor for about 1 year. I have also been seconded to Knud’s department during this time and truly appreciated the support and the teachings he has shared with me. Here come my reflections.

Knud can make a clear vision for his department and is capable to break it into small actionable goals that make the vision reachable. Although Knud was a leader of leaders, and thus would not act himself directly to reach the goals, he was able to show the way and motivate the people around him to guarantee the success.

For Knud it is important that the people in his department work on tasks that have an impact on the organisation, and for this reason he is careful to understand and show what is the value generated by his employees. He uses this both as a motivating factor for his employees as well as to lead upwards and get the resonance his department deserves.

Knud is a strategical thinker and he is capable of navigating a political landscape to ensure success is achieved in the end.

Knud is structured and plans his work weeks ahead so to guarantee that he can have focus time, although he is involved in many tasks.

Knud is honest and appreciates true relationships, he sees you as a person and you can count on him. He can provide constructive feedback and help people develop.

PhD, Lead Numerical Specialist, Ørsted

Knud was my direct manager for two years in a newly formed area.
He is very driven and expects a lot of both the people he leads and himself, while at the same time having a focus on having fun and celebrating victories. He is good at creating a framework for people to navigate in, and to create an atmosphere of trust in a team.

He has a strong focus on building team identity and a clear strategy to work towards. Knud is a strong leader and I have very much enjoyed his trust, leadership and collaboration.

Head of Seabed Interface Design hos Ørsted – Seabed Mobility, Subsea Cables and Scour Protection engineering

As a leader, Knud is a natural born talent, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. From top ratings in manager surveys to growing and maturing multiple teams, Knud has had an immense impact on the Wind Farm teams at Ørsted. Under his leadership, I have experienced firsthand how efficiently he not only sets goals, but also reaches them.

He has the ability to “zoom out”, set a course of action and push towards a target without losing attention to detail – a rare trait. His prior experience with analytical work also shines through in his leadership, enabling him to easily absorb new technical information and make better, more informed decisions.

As a person, Knud takes an interest in his colleagues’ mental and physical health and makes it a priority to monitor and support them – his business drive never overshadows his deep care for others. He brings out the best in people by inspiring them and being a structured, disciplined, and empathetic manager. Personally, I always felt that Knud was heavily invested in my ambitions and goals, continually offering mentoring, support, or simply nudging me when I needed it. I am grateful for his input in my career and life.

Geophysicist, AI & Machine Learning Enthusiast, Ørsted

Knud played a pivotal role in structuring our new Seabed & Cables team, a group of skilled engineers specialising in subsea cable, seabed mobility and scour design. Knud’s strong leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing together the team, defining the technical and digital strategy with a high focus on business value. He achieved this all whilst fostering a fun, trusting and collaborative environment.

I’m so grateful for their mentorship during this time and look forward to our paths crossing again in the future!

Chief Specialist, Ørsted

Knud has been a fantastic leader for me and colleagues around me in the past 4.5 years. Most importantly, Knud has always demonstrated care for his employees and colleagues, being attentive of well being of employees as well as creating psychological safety in the teams he was leading. At the same time, he has been able to inspire people to push boundaries at the technical level following his example to deliver value creating & fit for purpose products at the same time as driving innovation.

Knud also inspired people to strive for increased performance in their work by ensuring there was a development strategy for each employee and each team/department. In other words,

Knud always thinks 2-3 steps ahead which is an essential skill for a performing leader! If you have the opportunity to work with Knud as a manager, take it, I am 100% certain it will make a difference to your business!

Ph.D., Renewables Expert, Tidl. Ørsted

I have great respect for Knud’s work. I met him a few years into my career at DONG E&P, where he stood out with his innovative geophysical techniques and sharp geological insights.

Later, Knud’s leadership has been a source of inspiration and growth. At Ørsted, his leadership created an environment where many, including myself, thrived. His feedback was always honest, empathetic, and relevant, even in disagreement or when conveying difficult truths.

Knud’s compassionate care for his team sets him apart from most other middle managers. Under his leadership, his department set new records in satisfaction surveys. His human insight, organizational understanding, ability to foster collaboration, transparency, and creating a spirit of trust and mutual respect are exceptional.

Petrophysicist, Geoscientist, Data and IT, Ørsted

I have worked with Knud in Ørsted first when he was an experienced specialist, later when he became a 1st line manager and in the last +2 years as my manager. Knud is visionary and has a great drive to see opportunities and move his area of responsibility forward!

As Head of Seabed and Cables Knud has in only two years succeeded in creating a coherent area and consolidating a common identity. He has created followship and a clear strategy. Knud is ambitious and will bring people with him. As a manager Knud creates an open and safe environment and is an authentic leader.

Tidl. kollega og afdelingsleder for Subsea Cables, Ørsted

I have had the professional pleasure working with Knud for a couple of years. Knud is a strong value driven leader, he has his leadership compass in place, he hold strong interpersonal skills as well as he is strong in setting the strategic direction for his area of responsibility.

Knud is strong in visualising his direction and thereby create followship not only from his direct reports but also from his peers.

Director – Head of HV Cables ENG Management

Knud was my manager during my time in the Windfarm Team at Orsted. I found Knud a talented, natural leader with an understanding of the business needs and capabilities alongside the technical facets of the offshore wind business.

During my time Knud built a high performing, market leading team delivering core business products for the construction of wind farms. In addition to this, he led a culture of continuous improvement and innovation – targeted at adding value and efficiency to the business

Knud developed and championed his team whilst seeking collaboration, alignment and integration with the wider business – influencing affiliated groups and their shared strategic direction.

Knud is an exceptional leader with a clear track record of adding value and delivering results.

Knud would be an asset to any business. It was a privilege to work in his team.

Commercial Manager | Offshore Wind | Operations, Maintenance and Asset Management

Knud is a Leader of Leaders. He is a leader of change. He is a leader of high performance. And, he is a leader caring for his people, both direct and indirect reports. Expect a lot of Knud. He will deliver.

Senior Lead Specialist, Ørsted