Michael Friedrich
Head of Internal Audit and Internal Control @Vanderlande
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WORK HISTORY
Head of Internal Audit and Internal Control @Vanderlande
In my current role, I lead Vanderlande’s global Internal Audit and Internal Control function. My focus is on strengthening governance, improving enterprise risk oversight, and ensuring our internal control environment supports the company’s long-term strategic objectives.I work with executive leadership, the Audit Committee, and key stakeholders including Toyota Industries Corporation to shape our global audit strategy and ensure transparency around key enterprise risks. One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is helping leadership teams proactively identify emerging risks while strengthening the organization’s control environment.A large part of my work involves transforming the internal audit function into a more data-driven and forward-looking capability. I’m currently leading initiatives to modernize audit methodologies, align our practices with the latest Institute of Internal Auditors standards, and embed advanced analytics into our audit processes.I’ve also been focused on improving remediation discipline across the organization by implementing stronger tracking mechanisms and increasing accountability around audit findings. This has significantly accelerated the closure of critical control gaps and improved risk visibility at the leadership level.Another exciting part of the role has been building data analytics and AI capabilities within the audit function. My team has developed semi-automated ETL pipelines and dashboards that allow us to monitor key control indicators such as segregation of duties and procurement risks in near real time.Ultimately, my goal is to position Internal Audit as a trusted strategic partner that not only provides assurance but also helps leadership teams anticipate risks and make better decisions.
EDUCATION
Freie Universität Berlin
Vordiplom, Business Administration, Accounting
University of Hamburg
Diplom-Kaufmann, Taxation, Accounting, Auditing
University of South Australia
Administrative Management
SKILLS
ABOUT MICHAEL FRIEDRICH
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping organizations strengthen governance, manage risk intelligently, and make better strategic decisions.I started my journey in accounting and internal auditing in Germany and Australia, gradually building experience across global consulting, multinational corporations, and executive leadership roles. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across Europe and internationally, partnering with leadership teams to navigate complex risk landscapes while building strong, resilient organizations.Today, I serve as Head of Internal Audit & Internal Control at Vanderlande, where I lead the global internal audit function and work closely with executive leadership, the Board, and the Audit Committee to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls. My focus is not just on assurance, but on helping organizations see around corners, identifying emerging risks, strengthening controls, and creating transparency that supports better decisions.Earlier in my career, I spent several years with Mars, where I led the European Internal Audit function and later worked on major finance transformation initiatives across Europe. Those experiences reinforced something I strongly believe in: Internal Audit can and should be a strategic business partner, not just a compliance function.Before that, I spent time at Deloitte, where I led complex global audit and risk advisory engagements and helped organizations modernize their audit functions through data analytics and continuous monitoring.Across all of these roles, a consistent theme has been building strong teams and helping audit functions evolve. I enjoy developing talent, introducing new technologies into audit methodologies, and transforming internal audit into a forward-looking function that delivers real business value.I’m particularly interested in the intersection of risk management, technology, and governance, including areas such as data analytics in audit, enterprise risk management, and modern internal control frameworks.At the end of the day, my goal is simple: help organizations strengthen trust, improve decision-making, and build sustainable governance structures that stand the test of time.
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