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<p>Emilia Adamowicz</p>

Emilia Adamowicz

Helping leaders avoid costly transformation mistakes

Independent advisor to CEOs, CFOs and Global Business Services leaders making critical decisions on Shared Services, Global Business Services and operating model transformation.

 

Whether establishing a new GBS organisation, redesigning an existing model or recalibrating a transformation already underway, I help leaders challenge assumptions, navigate complexity and realise the value they expect from their investments.

Designing transformation is only the start. The real test is whether it works in the reality of your organisation and delivers the value it promised.”

My role is to bring practical leadership experience to challenge assumptions, identify hidden risks and focus attention on the decisions that ultimately determine whether transformation delivers its intended value.
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Every organization is unique - that's why transformation is never black and white.

Clarity

“The right answer starts with the right questions.”

Many transformation challenges stem from solving symptoms rather than underlying business issues. Clarity on what truly needs to change is often the most valuable step in the journey.

Structure

“Transformation doesn’t happen by accident.”

It requires clear direction from the top, focused execution from bottom up and continuous dialogue throughout the organization

Impact

“Business cases create expectations. Results create value.”

The true measure of success is not the transformation itself, but whether the expected business outcomes are realised and sustained.

Ways of engagement that meet your needs

Tailored corporate advisory

For Corporate Clients - tailored, in-depth and/or longer-term engagements. Advisory focused on strategic matters, e.g. operating model design, digital transformation, GBS or Shared Services strategy, performance frameworks, GPO maturity development, other specific projects.

Outcome based fixed rate

Leader's Package

For individuals - more complex topics: e.g. support leadership narrative, GBS/Shared Services strategy & transformation.
5 sessions of 60 minutes over typically 2 months 

Discounted hourly rate

Ad hoc problem solving session

For individuals - if you have a particular challenge you want to solve here and now, I am your sparring partner to figure out the right solution, remove bottlenecks. 
One-off 60 minute session

Hourly rate

How It Works

4 steps approach for each type of engagement

1.

Explore & Diagnose

Understand the real problem before investing in solutions.
2.

Design the Way Forward

Challenge assumptions and define an approach that fits your organisation.
3.

Enable Execution

Focus leadership attention on the decisions that matter most.
4.

Elevate Results

Ensure transformation delivers the value it promised.

Key Challenges I Help Solve

Strategy

• Deciding whether the current operating model can support future business ambitions
• Determining how GBS should evolve to deliver greater value, not just lower cost
• Making the right strategic choices before major investments are committed

Process Performance

• Restoring accountability when performance is diluted across functions, regions, business units
• Deciding when incremental improvement is no longer enough
• Resetting performance expectations with captives or outsourcing partners

Technology & Operating Model Fit

• Decide how digital, automation, or AI should change the way work is done
• Avoiding technology investments that reinforce outdated operating models 
• Setting a coherent direction before tools, vendors, or platforms are selected

Change & Org readiness

• Turning leadership alignment into sustained organisational commitment
• Addressing behaviours and local realities that undermine transformation
• Ensuring accountability remains with the business, not the programme team

Leadership Alignment & Ownership

• Aligning senior leaders around a single definition of success
• Establishing real authority for Global Process Ownership
• Resolving tensions between central direction and local autonomy

“Don’t be sorry. Be better.”

Let’s discuss your specific situation and explore solutions.

Book a 30-min Call

Having led GBS organisations from the inside, I bring practical judgement grounded in accountability for outcomes.

Experience

Independent Executive Advisory

(2025 - present)

Shared Services & cross-divisional integration scenarios & business cases
Centralisation, outsourcing and location strategy decisions
3rd party support design - scope, contract approach, methodology and governance
Multi country multi function transition setup and execution oversight
Next-generation GBS operating model evolution
Global Process Ownership model redesign

Engie

(2023-2025)

Led GBS Transformation Portfolio
Led Program and Value Management
Shaped GBS Location strategy and set up delivery center

Carlsberg

(2019-2023)

Led Shared Services, its support functions, strategy & transformation
Managed Global Outsourcing partnership
Led digital back office transformation program

Novartis

(2013-2018)

Established Global Process Ownership governance and standards
Led Finance Core Team defining standards for all GPO Teams
Built productivity, value realization and performance management frameworks
Advanced finance automation, analytics and digital solutions
Led global teams driving process, performance & productivity improvements

Accenture

(2009- 2012)

Led operational teams and service delivery performance
Standardized processes across functions and geographies
Improved performance through KPI and operational governance

17 Years

Leading global transformations

8 Industries

Cross-sector expertise

Strategic Partnerships

Board-level advisory

Value Creation

Proven ROI delivery

Hear from the leaders.

Real feedback from leaders who’ve worked with me.

Masterclass in GBS transformation done right

“As Chief HR Officer of GBS at ENGIE, I had the opportunity to work closely with Emilia during a global transformation of our operations. She was instrumental in expanding our scope across functions and geographies, embedding digital enablers like process mining, and most importantly reshaping our culture to position GBS as a true strategic partner to the business.
Emilia brings a powerful combination of strategic clarity, operational pragmatism, and deep GBS expertise. She was instrumental in designing our GBS Transformation Academy and redefining the skills agenda for our future leaders. She doesn’t just advise, she drives action and outcomes.
Emilia is a force. Any leadership team serious about meaningful change would be lucky to have her at the table.”

Julie Gastard

ENGIE - Chief HR Officer

Transforming at the frontline

Emilia is an outstanding leader. Visionary, detail-oriented, resilient, and deeply inspiring. I had the privilege of standing by her side during a highly challenging AP transformation project, marked by IT legacy constraints, resistance to change, and operational performance issues. Thanks to her exceptional problem-solving approach, Emilia swiftly implemented targeted action plans that restored momentum and kept the project on track.

She has a rare ability to align cross-functional teams and ensure everyone is moving in the same direction. Her leadership is both inspiring and results-driven. She motivates teams through her exceptional work ethic, clarity of vision, and unwavering dedication. She’s a catalyst for progress and a colleague you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Dorota Ochendowska

EXIDE GROUP - Head of Shared Services Center

Helping Leaders Navigate the Hard Questions

"I had the pleasure of working closely with Emilia for two years in the leadership team of a global energy company’s GBS organization. As Transformation Lead, Emilia was not only a trusted sparring partner but also a true catalyst for progress. With her sharp consulting expertise and deep GBS knowledge, she consistently asked the right questions. The ones that truly mattered and challenged me to find the right answers.
What sets Emilia apart is her rare combination of strategic insight and authentic empathy. She has an exceptional ability to address the difficult topics that truly need attention, always with the intention of helping you move forward and unlock real transformation. Her approach is both inspiring and grounded, creating an environment where real change can happen.
I truly enjoyed working with Emilia and can wholeheartedly recommend her to any business or leader seeking to make a real difference. If you are looking for someone who will not only support your journey but also elevate it, Emilia is the partner you want by your side."

Katharina Maxis

ENGIE - Global Head of People Services GBS

Transformational Leader Driving Strategic Clarity and Collaboration

“Emilia is an exceptional leader with a unique talent for effectively bridging strategic and human perspectives. Her professional determination, strong leadership presence, and business acumen enable her to unite teams and drive collaboration and results across multiple departments and locations.
She promotes strategic alignment and action by simplifying complex business concepts and creating compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and levels of seniority.
Working with Emilia and recognizing her as a leader, transformational change agent, and strategic communicator has been both a pleasure and a privilege.”

Anna Durczak

CARLSBERG - Communications Lead

A Trusted Leader Who Delivers with Integrity and Impact

“I brought Emilia on board at Carlsberg after first being impressed by her work at Novartis. I trusted in her to be a role model to others as we professionalized our Shared Services and she excelled at every component of the role from delivering solid content through engaging with leaders across the business and building a strong team in her function. 
Emilia is inquisitive, persistent, outcome-oriented and authentic”

Dave Marton

BD - VP, Global Business Services

Driving real change

Emilia worked in my Team at Novartis when she was the global head of Finance Processes Performance and Continuous Improvement.
Emilia brought the function (FRA Global Process Ownership) to a new level due to her outstanding approach to change management and ability to connect with different stakeholders. She was able to connect people around common goals and challenging the status quo with her impressive critical thinking. She has a never give up and outcome-oriented mindset.

Alexandre Gomes

NOVARTIS - Lean digital core, enablement and Finance Lead