What was your earliest memory? Playing in a sandbox in kindergarten with my friends.
Did you go through training/university or straight into work? I went to work straight after getting my BSc in shipbuilding engineering from Haarlem Polytechnic. I have good memories of my first job as a technical commercial engineer assisting colleagues in the Asian market, as I was working in an exciting international environment.
Who have been your mentors? The people who had the biggest impact, personally as well as professionally, are my parents, who are both entrepreneurs, plus the owner of the sailing school where I worked for more than 25 years, and one of my first managers in Wartsila. One of the biggest things I have learnt has been to take a positive approach to life and work. I love Albert Einstein’s quote “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
Ambition or talent — which is more important? For me, ambition. You can be talented, but if you do not use your talent, you will not get far.
What is your biggest extravagance? I love cooking and eating and buying really good ingredients. My other hobby is reading, and as I read rather fast, I buy loads of e-books.
What would you have done if you hadn’t gone into shipping? Probably set up my own sailing school. I have been a sailing teacher since I was 17 and a few times have thought about going into the teaching and summer camp business full-time. Having said that, I have had so many amazing opportunities that made me grow as a person as well as a professional working for Wartsila in the past 28 years. It has been an exciting journey to be part of a business that is transforming all the time, most recently into the full use of digital technologies and customer-focused service.
How do you relax? Sailing, cooking and reading (not all at the same time).
What would you like to own that you do not possess? I possess all I could wish for.
When are you happiest? When we achieve our goals with a team and I see others and myself growing along the way — both in work and my private life. Being a sailing teacher, it is very rewarding to see students continuously improving.
What would you change in shipping? I would like to see a bit more openness to innovation. The world is changing fast, but I believe we in the shipping industry are still hesitant to try new ideas. I have appreciated the huge work we have done at Wartsila to generate a compelling vision for the industry. I subscribe to the idea of openness and cooperation between different stakeholders and the increasing use of connectivity.
Is politics important to you? Yes; it has a big influence on our daily lives. Having lived in China and Singapore, I can see the different impact politics has on people’s lives in different countries.
Which four people, living or dead, would you like to invite to dinner? Nelson Mandela, Dutch politician Neelie Kroes, chef Donna Hay and Chinese writer Xinran.
What would your 20-year-old self say about you today if you met? Probably that I am a person who makes time for everyone regardless of their position in an organisation or society and is genuinely interested to get to know people.
What keeps you awake at night? My two cats.
What are your favourite song, book and film? I read so many good books, it is impossible to pick only one. I love non-fiction and have just finished reading The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser, about how much modern society depends on sand, which is, strangely enough, a finite commodity. Favourite film is Star Wars (the original three episodes). No favourite song as I like a lot of different music styles.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt? Be yourself and enjoy what you do. If you do not get energy from what you do in your private or professional life, you should change and take control of your own happiness.
What are your best and worst characteristics? Best is my energy and ability to energise those around me. This could also be seen as my worst because it might be tiring for those around me all the time.
Your greatest achievement so far? Having been able to work successfully in and with different cultures and nationalities. I am also proud to have been able to contribute to some friends’ and colleagues’ professional and personal development.
Your greatest disappointment? At one point I started a new job, but after less than six months the need for that job disappeared. This was a bit of a cold shower but also a great lesson that you must be able to cope with unexpected changes.
What ambitions do you still have? My ambition is to never stop learning, and to continue to be curious.
