Michal Strnad received control of Czechoslovak Group from his father in 2018 and has led the defense and industrial company through rapid expansion and a 2026 public listing. [1][2]
A family business transferred to the next generation
CSG says founder Jaroslav Strnad transferred 100% of the holding company's shares to his son Michal in January 2018. Michal was already serving as chief executive, so the transaction combined operating control with ownership of a substantial family industrial platform rather than requiring him to build the initial capital base from scratch. [2]
Forbes describes Strnad as CSG's majority owner and CEO and ties his fortune to the defense-focused company. The inherited ownership platform is therefore central to understanding his starting point, even though later growth under his leadership materially changed the scale of the asset. [1][2]
Expansion and liquidity
Under Strnad, CSG expanded through major acquisitions across ammunition, military vehicles and other industrial businesses. That growth matters because his wealth is tied to ownership of the operating group, so increases in the scale and valuation of CSG accrue through retained equity rather than through executive compensation alone. [1]
The expansion culminated in the admission of CSG shares to Euronext Amsterdam in January 2026. Forbes says the offering raised about $4.5 billion, introducing a public-market valuation and liquidity reference while Strnad retained a controlling economic interest; the offering value should not be treated as equivalent to cash personally received by him. [1][2]
Sources for background
Sources reviewed Sep 15, 2026.
- Michal Strnad · Forbes · Mar 10, 2026
- Control of CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP handed over to Michal Strnad, the founder's son · Czechoslovak Group · Jan 26, 2018
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