Functie: Senior Vice President
Practice: Energy, Chemicals & Utilities
Opleiding: Civil & Mechanical Engineering in Glasgow en MBA van INSEAD
Vorige werkgever: Shell
Werkzaam bij Booz Allen sinds: September 1990
What is your background?
I joined Shell International straight from university and spent 4 great months in The Netherlands attending an intensive training program to learn the basics of the oil business. It was a fun time and I developed a strong affinity with The Netherlands.
I then spent 3 years as a a project manager in Qatar responsible for the engineering, design and construction of modifications to the existing oil terminals and offshore platforms: lots of responsibility, challenging environment and fascinating multi cultural experience. I then spent 3,5 years in The Netherlands developing on shore sour gas fields for the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (N.A.M.). Fascination with business rather than technical issues led to my decision to leave Shell and develop a new toolkit by attending the MBA course at INSEAD.
Following INSEAD I joined the Energy, Chemicals and Utilities Practice of Booz Allen Hamilton and was elected Vice President in 1997 and Senior Vice President in January 2008.
Why consulting?
Following Business School I viewed a few years with Booz Allen Hamilton as the ideal "finishing school" - a way of practicing with the tools and techniques first discovered at INSEAD. Working in a very stimulating environment and helping create step change strategic redirections in some of the world's largest corporations is why consulting remains my career choice.
Why Booz Allen Hamilton?
Consulting is a people business, simply put, you spend a significant portion of your life working in intimate project teams. The people I met and the culture I sensed were a big influence in my choice to join Booz Allen Hamilton.
Which project was your most interesting project and why?
All projects have interesting aspects and none of them is straightforward. If I were to pick a couple of assignments that stand out they would be helping SABIC acquire GE Plastics for $12bn. during 2007 and helping one of the global oil majors redefine and implement a new gasoline and convenience store strategy.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of Booz Allen?
The people with whom I work, the culture and the sense of pride we have developed not only as an institution but also as the Amsterdam office. I take great pride in being part of the growth of both the Firm and the Amsterdam office. Furthermore in such a people business I derive great satisfaction from actively mentoring our staff and observing how my colleagues have themselves developed and grown over the years.
What are your hobbies?
Having fun and spending time with my kids is very important to me. On the sporting front, until recently I was a fanatical rugby player but now pursue a fewer "gentler" sports with my children: downhill skiing and golf. Furthermore I like travel and am a keen chef.