IT leadership that stands, day one.
Has your IT manager left, is a transformation stalling, or does NIS2 demand real direction? Then I take the helm quickly: calm in the team, control over operations and a concrete plan. From regional family businesses to listed multinationals — working in English, Dutch or German.
Proven in practice, substantiated in conversation
I'm happy to share concrete results, numbers and references in person — or see the recommendations on my LinkedIn profile.
Six situations where I make an immediate difference
Your IT manager leaves (unexpectedly)
Departure, illness or leave: I step in immediately, keep projects and operations running and hand over properly to the permanent successor — whom I can help recruit and onboard.
Cybersecurity and compliance need direction
From security assessment to an executable roadmap: NIS2 readiness, incident response, awareness and technical controls — pragmatic and proportionate to your organisation.
Digital transformation or ERP programme
From "IT as a necessary evil" to data-driven operations: strategy, architecture and execution, including ERP implementations (Dynamics F&O/CE among others) and cloud migrations.
IT separation, merger or outsourcing
Splitting or merging IT organisations, application rationalisation and vendor management — safeguarding continuity and the people in the team.
Your IT department no longer fits the business
Reorganising teams and processes (ITIL, DevOps, Scrum), clear governance and an IT roadmap that demonstrably contributes to business goals.
Steering on data and responsible AI adoption
MSc specialisation in artificial intelligence: from data strategy and BI dashboards to a realistic AI policy and the first working applications on the floor.
From rapid insight to a lasting handover
Every assignment follows the same rhythm in four phases. The pace differs per situation: complexity, scope and the number of available days determine the timeline — and we agree on realistic expectations up front.
Rapid insight
Conversations with leadership, team and business. Mapping urgent risks, quick wins and the real question behind the question — including the first stabilising measures.
Clear plan
A concrete action plan with priorities, owners and milestones. Not a thick report, but executable steps that both leadership and team understand and support.
Decisive execution
Hands-on in the organisation: coaching teams, keeping projects on track, driving improvements and making them visible — at a pace that fits the assignment.
Lasting handover
Documentation, an onboarded successor and embedded processes, so the organisation can continue independently. Good interim managers don't stay, after all.
Strategic IT advisor & sparring partner
Every assignment is interim, but not every assignment requires end responsibility for a team. As an IT advisor I join at the strategic level or alongside running projects — a few days per week or month, with the same hands-on experience.
IT strategy & roadmap
A clear IT strategy aligned with your business goals, translated into an executable multi-year roadmap — including budget, organisation and governance.
Reviewing running projects
Independent review of ongoing IT projects, ERP programmes or vendor selections: is it on track, is the approach sound, and where are the risks?
Sparring partner for leadership
An on-call sparring partner for owners and executives on IT, security and AI questions. Translating between business and IT — with no hidden vendor interest.
A selection of my assignments
Out of respect for my clients I don't name them here. Who and where — including recommendations — can be found on my LinkedIn profile, or I'll gladly walk you through it in a conversation.
European cybersecurity company
Scale-up with a SOC and incident response team. Centralised IT, made it measurable and aligned it with business success.
Transport & logistics provider
Twenty-plus sites. Built the IT roadmap, improved cybersecurity, set up a data/integration/DevOps team and introduced a new TMS.
Listed healthcare multinational
Led complex manufacturing-site IT across shifts, international collaboration with shared service centres, IT/OT roadmap and audits.
International chemicals manufacturer
Digital transformation with teams in the Netherlands, the US and Poland: renewed ERP and CRM, integration architecture, security and cloud roadmap.
Nationwide hospitality organisation
Over a thousand locations. Multi-year IT strategy, governance, cloud migration and legacy replacement; leading 35+ FTE.
Global supply chain company
Led infrastructure teams across Europe, completed a full data-centre renewal and built an international service desk.
Internationally experienced, locally rooted
I combine almost 25 years of IT experience and leadership with a solid academic foundation: an MSc in Business Process Management & IT (Open Universiteit), completed cum laude with a specialisation in artificial intelligence, a bachelor's degree in business informatics, plus certifications in ITIL v2–v4, Prince2, Scrum, Azure and Cisco.
I have led international teams spread across Europe, the United States and Poland, built an international service desk and worked daily with global shared service centres — with English as the natural working language. At the same time I know the down-to-earth dynamics of regional family businesses and local teams: being present on the floor, short lines and doing what you promise. I connect those two worlds effortlessly — in English, Dutch or German.
"When our IT manager left unexpectedly, Mikael stepped in immediately: he kept business-critical projects on track, quickly earned the trust of both the team and site leadership, and proved to be an exceptionally competent leader."
Interim IT management in practice
What exactly does an interim IT manager do?
An interim IT manager temporarily fills the IT leadership role: when the permanent manager leaves or falls ill, or during a transformation, reorganisation or crisis. I give the team direction, keep operations stable and drive targeted improvements — with a structured handover at the end. I carry out assignments as an independent entrepreneur through Reliables B.V., under a business-to-business services agreement with agreed results and mandate — not an employment relationship.
How quickly are you available?
Depending on current assignments, usually within a few weeks. An introductory call can almost always be scheduled within days, free of obligation.
Where and in which languages do you work?
Based in Zeddam (Gelderland, the Netherlands), on the German border, I work across the Netherlands and the Dutch-German border region. I work in English, Dutch and German (C1) — fully English-language assignments for international organisations are just as natural.
What does an interim IT manager cost?
The investment depends on the role, level of responsibility and duration. We agree a transparent hourly or project rate in a services agreement between your organisation and Reliables B.V. You take on no employer obligations: no employment contract, no sick or holiday pay and no long notice periods.
How is the engagement structured legally?
The engagement is a business-to-business relationship: your organisation contracts with Reliables B.V. under a services agreement with clear deliverables. I work for multiple clients, determine how the work is carried out and bear entrepreneurial risk. Role, mandate and duration are agreed up front — no employment relationship is created, which also addresses Dutch DBA (false self-employment) rules.
Do you also work part-time or hybrid?
Yes. We tailor the setup to the assignment; as the contractor I organise the delivery myself. Combinations of on-site and remote, or two to four days per week, are all negotiable.
An IT challenge that can't wait?
Call or email — you'll always speak directly with me, no agency or middle layer. A reply within one business day, and in the first call an honest assessment of whether I'm the right person for your situation.