When Rikke Draebye Gantzhorn was contacted by Nordic Interim – A Valtus company, she had no plans to take on an executive interim role. But the challenge was too exciting to turn down, and she was engaged as Interim Director at FrederiksborgCentret/Royal Stage, reporting directly to the chairman of the board but operating within the organization, outside the traditional CEO structure.
“The setup was unique – I wasn’t part of the management team and didn’t report to the CEO, but I was inside the company, working on behalf of the board.” she explains.
It wasn’t unfamiliar territory. With earlier leadership roles she brought experience in optimizing commercial real estate, venue operations, commercial transformation and strategic execution. This mix was exactly what FrederiksborgCentret/Royal Stage needed.
Originally a short-term assignment, everything changed after just 8 weeks. The board decided to change the CEO and Rikke was offered the role of interim CEO. “I could continue implementing what the board had asked me to do, but now with the full authority to execute and as interim CEO it was a good way for both sides to test the fit.” says Rikke.
Transformation in Motion
FrederiksborgCentret/Royal Stage is undergoing significant change. “It’s essentially two full-time jobs” she says. “You’re managing the daily operations while executing on strategic transformation. I love it – the people, the projects, the potential.”
She highlights the importance of collaboration, particularly with the municipality. “We’re combining the commercial mindset with the public sector’s service perspective. That means thinking of people and users with focus on high quality, user experience and customer service. Bringing in an outside-in perspective is key.” she explains.
That shift also requires new competencies, fresh processes, smarter pricing, and an entirely customer-driven approach. “It’s a big change but the organization is ready. There’s a good momentum to redeem the potential.”
Why Interim Management is the perfect solution
Coming in as an Interim Director gave Rikke a unique starting point. “As a neutral person, people opened. There were no preconceived roles or expectations. It allowed me to implement quickly, without an onboarding period, and that saved the organization both time and money.” she says.
Her view of Executive Interim Management has changed radically. “I used to think of Interim Managers as people between jobs. Now I see the value – it’s a strategic way to inject experience and pace exactly when and where it’s needed.”
A Strong Partnership
The process with Nordic Interim was smooth. “Ole did a fantastic job. He followed up, supported me throughout the assignment, and made sure everything felt secure.”
Life Beyond Work
Outside of her role, Rikke enjoys family life with her husband, teenage twin boys, outdoor training, running, and spending time with friends. When in Copenhagen, she recommends a FCK-football game at Parken Stadium, visiting Tivoli, grabbing a Danish pastry, and walking along the harbour.
Royal Stage at a Glance (as of 2025):
- Location: Hillerød, Denmark
- Arena Capacity: 3,017 seats
- Facilities: 14 conference rooms, 3 sports and exhibition halls, swimming pool, various sports facilities
- Usage: Conferences, sports, culture, health
- Owner: Municipality of Hillerød
Why this matters in an Austrian context
Royal Stage’s transformation journey is particularly relevant for Austria, where many municipally owned venues – from Stadthallen and regional conference centers to sport arenas and hybrid cultural-sport facilities – face similar challenges: increasing commercial pressure, complex stakeholder landscapes, and the need to combine public value with economic sustainability. Rikke Draebye Gantzhorn’s approach shows how interim executives can drive strategic change in such environments, especially when balancing commercial thinking with public service quality. For Austrian cities and regions looking to revitalize public venues and maximize their potential, this case offers valuable insights. The case study shows clearly that interim management is a valuable strategic option if you want to succeed with a transformation.