His heart is torn between surprise and recognition. "I looked at the jury's selection criteria to get a better idea," , 45th in 2022, said with a smile, when asked about his lofty position in this year's Paperjam rankings in an interview. It's a restrained reaction, in keeping with his image.

The 43-year-old CFO of Cargolux (appointed in 2016) is easy to talk to and has a flair for making contact. "There's nothing feigned about him", recounted a close colleague at the company's HQ in Sandweiler. “What characterises him is his humility,” this person said. “In my career, I've rarely met a manager with so many values. But it would never occur to him to emphasise them.”

Empowered

Straus has always been involved with Cargolux. He first came to Cargolux as part of an end-of-studies placement for his postgraduate diploma in international management, in 2005. "I loved finance, but had no intention of joining a bank. I wanted to combine finance with something concrete, with physical assets," said the HEC Lausanne graduate. “I was curious, I'd just come back from an exchange in Boston, and I wanted something international. I started by looking at the industry. Cargolux accepted my application. I was given responsibility very early on. Right from the start, I was involved in major projects. I learnt a lot very quickly.”

Passionate

Straus can't help but crane his neck when, high above his head, a plane glides through the clouds, and he hears its whirring roar. "Although I wasn't a big aviation fan, it came over me as time went by," he said. "What fascinates me about my job is that it changes every day", says this husband and father of three, who describes himself as "ambitious and efficient", a way of asserting his determination and his taste for the multitude of hats that his job as CFO implies.

Here he is, in turn, big-money man, strategist, inspirer, watchdog... Multiplying his directors' fees, here in the secrecy of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, which Luc Frieden chaired ("He taught me a lot"), there within the Luxembourg Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management, at the University of Luxembourg, of which he is a member of the advisory board. Not forgetting his seat at the table of the world's largest airlines, as part of the International Air Transport Association. "The influence we have helps to bring about political and economic decisions that are in line with what is good for society", he sums up. The term society is to be understood in its broadest sense.

Pride

Back to business. Cargolux now employs nearly 4,000 people and generates sales of over €3bn, "with confirmed profitability for over ten years". The company transports over one million tonnes of goods sold every year, via 85 offices in some fifty countries around the world. Shortly after his arrival in 2005, the company celebrated the entry into service of its fifteenth aircraft. Today, 30 747s - four of which are operated by a subsidiary based in Italy - take part in the daily air ballet.

"I'm proud of what Cargolux has become. It used to be a Luxembourg cargo company. That's no longer the case. We're a multinational, proud of our Luxembourg roots. A pillar of the national economy that exports the flag all over the world and ensures that Luxembourg is connected. The perception of us has changed a little."

Decarbonisation, international crisis management and Europe's competitiveness are high on his agenda. "When a crisis shakes the planet, we feel the impact immediately", observed Straus. Here, everywhere, and inescapable.

On the long haul

Young... and already old. Young (age 43), considering his functions. Old at Cargolux. Almost 20 years already! After joining the company as a student in 2005, Maxim Straus quickly moved up the ranks, becoming manager of aircraft financing in 2010, director of corporate finance & strategy projects in 2013, then vice president corporate development & strategy alliances in 2014. He has been CFO since summer 2016, when he took over from current CEO Richard Forson. At the age of just 35.

This article was written for the  print edition of  magazine, published on 11 December. 

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