When I was 12 I already knew that I wanted to be an engineer. This desire remained intact, even when a career aptitude test at the age of 18 identified law as a suitable career. And so to Delft, rather than to Leiden. Awhen I finished my studies I started at Shell, and after four years there, I left for a year to do an MBA at INSEAD. After INSEAD I joined BCG in London and I have been working at the Dutch office since 1994.

Looking back over the years, there are a number of reasons why I think I have a wonderful job—the major influence you have as a consultant, the responsibility that this form of leadership entails, and the interesting people and problems with whom and which you work. I feel particularly at home with the culture and methods of BCG, where there is great respect for the individual, where contribution is more important than position, and where there is a strong focus on humor and enjoyment of one’s work.

It is very stimulating to realize you can really build your client’s organizations. Recently, by working together with the client, we discovered a new way to better manage strategic marketing investments—the company has now embraced this on a corporate level and it has given them unique advantage over their competitors.

I really enjoy the leadership opportunities within BCG, and have now been given the responsibility to take BCG to the next level. We have been the most successful strategy consultancy over the last 10 years and will continue to grow faster than the market. Working together to create even more success is rewarding and fun.