The Journey from IT Trainee to Head of IT

His progression from trainee to leader was not the result of a predefined career plan, but rather of a continuous curiosity and a desire to improve his skills.

- I never had a goal of ending up in a leadership role. My focus has always been on understanding the tasks, contributing to projects, and learning from the colleagues around me, says Tobias.

Early on, IT Operations Manager Lars Pedersen saw potential in Tobias. He suggested that Tobias might one day take over his position. That happened sooner than expected when Tobias became IT Operations Manager in 2023, while Lars remained with the company as an IT Security Consultant. Just a year later, Tobias took the next step and became Head of IT. Since then, Danske Fragtmænd has appointed an IT Director, and at his own request, Tobias has returned to his previous role as Head of IT Operations, where he can once again focus fully on operations, stability, and the development of the IT platform.

Over the years, Tobias has played a key role in several major projects that have strengthened both his professional profile and Danske Fragtmænd’s technological foundation. Among other things, he helped replace network equipment across the entire organization and establish a new data center. Danske Fragtmænd was among the first companies in Denmark to implement this type of solution.

- For me, the milestones have never been about titles, but about the projects and the collaboration with colleagues. As a leader, you are nothing without your team, says Tobias.

An important part of Tobias’ development has been the company’s mentoring program. Lars Pedersen has supported him from the very beginning. His guidance gave Tobias both the confidence and the opportunity to grow. This was crucial in enabling him to take the steps that eventually led to a leadership role within the IT organization.

- It requires someone to believe in you, and Lars did that for me. He has clearly been the single biggest factor in my career. He both hired me and helped me progress, and that has meant everything, explains Tobias.

These experiences have shaped the way Tobias leads today.

Leadership Through Trust and Visibility
Tobias became a manager at a young age and was given significant responsibility early on, but age has never been an obstacle. Taking responsibility comes naturally to him, he explains. At the same time, he is aware that he leads across three generations—young employees, his own generation, and colleagues aged 50 and above. He finds this both enjoyable and inspiring.

Tobias clearly remembers his first days as a Team Leader. Although he was nervous about what his colleagues might think, the support of the team made the transition easy.

Visibility, trust, and collaboration form the foundation of Tobias’ leadership style. He has chosen to sit among his employees rather than in a closed office. This gives him insight into daily operations and makes him accessible whenever employees need guidance or decisions.

- Modern leadership is about being part of the work and creating an environment where people can contribute and make a difference. I value transparency, collaboration, and ensuring that every voice is heard, whether you are a trainee or an experienced senior employee, says Tobias.

He works actively with motivation, recognition, and clear expectations. Employees are given both responsibility and the freedom to take ownership of their work.

- Trust and responsibility go hand in hand, and that creates engagement, Tobias explains.

The Future of IT at Danske Fragtmænd
Looking ahead, Tobias and his team are working on a range of digital initiatives designed to strengthen the company’s operations and development. He sees a future in which IT will play an even greater role at Danske Fragtmænd.

- We will still be delivering freight, but IT will become an increasingly important focus area. Upcoming projects include Scan-to-Trailer, the new DFmobil platform, NIS2 compliance, and a new Wi-Fi solution. It’s exciting, and these are some of the largest IT projects we will be working on in the coming years, he says.

Tobias’ story demonstrates how commitment, perseverance, and strong relationships can create a career path from trainee to a central leadership role within an IT organization.

- Projects and relationships are what ultimately create value. If you are not passionate about the work and the people around you, you risk burning out. For experienced leaders, it is about spotting talent, believing in people, and giving them room to make mistakes. That is how we develop future leaders and achieve the results we want together, Tobias concludes.