Name: Lars-Petter Østlie
Year of birth: 1977
Role/title: CFO
City: Oslo
Originally from: Oslo

What made you want to become part of Sicra, and what appealed to you at this stage of the merger and continued growth?

I love being involved in developing businesses in industries that are growing or going through consolidation phases. I want to help continuously improve how we operate so that we remain relevant to our customers and provide a meaningful and secure workplace for our employees.

You are stepping into the role of CFO in connection with the merger between Sicra and Bluetree. How do you view the CFO role in such a transition phase?

The CFO role has evolved significantly in recent years. Actively working in a commercial and strategic capacity has become a much larger part of the job as traditional accounting tasks have been automated. It is also important that the role enables employees to work efficiently and have sufficient insight through strong BI tools.

You have broad leadership experience from other industries. What experience do you bring into cybersecurity?

I have had the pleasure of working in several companies and industries, including organizations with many consultants and strong professional environments. Ensuring that employees’ valuable professional input is heard, that they are involved in change processes, and that we collectively contribute to a scaling journey is a key responsibility. The goal is to enable us to take on more assignments and employees without significant growing pains.

You come from the fitness and health industry. Which experiences or perspectives from that background will be especially useful in your role as CFO at Sicra?

I bring strong stamina and experience in clear and effective communication of what is happening within the company. What all the successful organizations I have worked with have in common is continuous change and close collaboration at all levels. If we train often enough, we also become better at implementing change, and it becomes less intimidating over time.

What do you believe is most important to ensure financial robustness and scalable operations in a company with high ambitions?

• Predictable liquidity and capital discipline

  A company with high ambitions must always know how long it can operate under different scenarios. This requires clear cash flow management, realistic forecasts, and early detection of deviations, not only in profit but also in liquidity.

• Scalable structures rather than person-dependent solutions

  Processes, systems, and reporting must be able to handle growth without becoming unnecessarily complex. Standardization where it creates value, combined with flexibility where the business requires it, is essential to grow without losing control.

• A clear link between strategy, operations, and finance

  The finance function must be closely involved in decisions and priorities. When strategy, operational execution, and financial management are aligned, it becomes possible to invest proactively while maintaining conscious and controlled risk.

What motivates you most about working with long-term development of financial and operational structures?

What motivates me most is building the foundation that makes ambitions achievable. Strong financial and operational structures are not about control for its own sake, but about:

• Freeing up time and capacity within the organization.
• Making the company more resilient during change.
• Providing leadership with better decision-making support.
• Enabling growth without letting complexity spiral out of control.

I am motivated by seeing how clear frameworks, solid systems, and the right structure make it possible to move faster, not slower. When finance and operations function seamlessly in the background, the organization gains room to focus on value creation and development.

Do you have any hobbies or activities you enjoy in your free time?

A few select ones: cycling, both road and trail, running, cross-country skiing, strength training, wingfoiling, and other water sports.

Wingfoiling. What is it?

Windfoiling is a water sport where you sail on a windsurf board equipped with a foil beneath the board. When the wind fills the sail and you gain speed, the foil lifts the board above the water, creating a smooth and quiet sensation of gliding over the surface. It works particularly well in light wind and is experienced as an efficient and technical evolution of traditional windsurfing.

How do you prefer to unwind after a long workday?

I unwind before work and always start my day with a workout. If I unwind after work, it is usually something social with friends or family.

Is there a book, podcast, or other source of inspiration you would recommend?

For many people, Let Them by Mel Robbins can be a great way to untangle thoughts about how we view the world and what we can and should take responsibility for ourselves. The first “adult book” I read was the English version of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and I was completely captivated. Whether it was the love story or the gritty gangster narrative that made it unforgettable, I will refrain from speculating further.

Is there something fun or unexpected we should know about you?

I grew up at a time when CDs suddenly emerged after a long era of LPs. I worked at a nightclub and loved music. I bought one of the first CD mixers along with some oversized speakers and spent my evenings learning how to mix music. I then worked for several years as a DJ, and more, during my early and promising years.

What do you prefer?

Home office or office: Office

Biometrics or code: Biometrics

Face ID or Touch ID: Touch ID

Vipps or cash: Never cash

Numbers or people: Tricky, but I have grown increasingly fond of people

Book or podcast: Book

Vacation in Norway or abroad: Tricky as well. I love Norway, but I am also very adventurous