Gottfried Schleich

Go-getter
DISC Type : d

Airbus - VP, Head of Accounting Defence & Space at Airbus Defence and Space

Berlin Metropolitan Area, Germany

Overview

Gottfried is a senior finance executive with over 20 years of international experience, currently serving as VP, Head of Accounting for Defence and Space at Airbus. His career includes C-level roles at Alstom and Bombardier, where he led large finance teams and drove performance in the railway industry. He earned his Diplom-Kaufmann from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht.

He is intellectually curious, with a keen interest in the leadership challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Gottfried believes in fostering a culture where learning from failure is encouraged, seeing it as a key to organizational safety and innovation. He follows thought leaders like Satya Nadella.

After 19 years in the railway industry, he made a significant career shift into the defence and space sector.

Personality Overview

Challenger

Fast-Paced

Direct & Candid

They don’t always try to control the conversation but neither do they like yielding it fully.  They focus on objectivity in a pitch and pay little attention to bells and whistles. They care equally about the product and its potential impact.

Topics They Care About

Industry Transformation
He notes the defence and space sector is undergoing profound transformation due to geopolitical tensions and accelerated technological change.
Leadership Philosophy
Believes motivation is built through daily leadership habits, clear expectations, and consistent communication, emphasizing that people follow leaders, not companies.
AI as a Leadership Issue
Follows discussions from the World Economic Forum, believing that country and corporate leaders must actively shape the future of artificial intelligence.

Media Appearances

Gottfried has no verified media appearances

Work History

3-2026
Airbus - VP, Head of Accounting Defence & Space at Airbus Defence and Space
8-2021 - 3-2025
Managing Director Finance, Alstom Transportation Germany GmbH at Alstom
2-2021 - 2-2026
CFO, Business Unit DACH Rolling Stock Mainline at Alstom
5-2019 - 2-2021
CFO, EMAI Region at Bombardier Transportation
7-2016 - 5-2019
Global Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) at Bombardier Transportation

Education

2000 - 2004
Diplom-Kaufmann from EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht
2003 - 2003
Semerster Abroad from UADE

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 20 Location : Berlin Metropolitan Area, Germany Job Level : Senior Designation : Airbus - VP, Head of Accounting Defence & Space at Airbus Defence and Space
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Insights For Selling To Gottfried

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Be crisp while making the pitch
  • Get to the point quickly instead of spending too much time on pleasantries
  • Make sure that you you respond to any queries from them quickly

DONT's

  • Don't try too hard to get friendly, let it happen with time
  • Refrain from asking too many questions
  • Avoid long winding pitches, stay objective

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Gottfried is

  • Conviction in the product matters to them, followed by proof points and strong testimonials.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Gottfried

  • They may not be very forthcoming, but they will say no if needed.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Gottfried move?

  • Their decision making speed is somewhere in the middle.
  • Can Gottfried take some risk or not?

  • They can take risks but after weighing up the pros and cons.

You And Gottfried

Personality Compatibility


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