My name is Gertjan van de Groep and I am Commercial Director at Van de Groep & Olsthoorn. In my role I am a sparring partner for management teams and investors in the world of technology & industry, I am also closely involved in filling permanent or interim assignments. In addition, I also expand the network of Van de Groep & Olsthoorn internationally as a board member in both the International Executive Search Federation (IESF) and Senior Management Worldwide (SMW Interim). With my background in mechanical engineering production and logistics organizations, I feel really connected and at home in the manufacturing industry. I graduated in 1993 from the HTS mechanical engineering in Utrecht and supplemented that study with a business administration education at Nyenrode Business University, where I recently also successfully completed the commissioner training. I started as a Manufacturing/Lean Engineer and later worked as a Management Trainee in logistics. After these experiences, I started as a Consultant at Van de Groep & Olsthoorn at the end of 1997, the company that my father Wim founded in 1979. In 2007, I took over the helm and the shares from my father and became Director-Owner. The combination of consultancy, entrepreneurship and management suits me perfectly. My goal is to gradually allow Van de Groep & Olsthoorn to continue to grow while maintaining the personal and direct character that characterizes our services. I am married and have been with my current partner for over 30 years, we have 2 children who are studying and sports are an indispensable part of my life. In addition to my chairmanship of a hockey club, I am also an active hockey goalkeeper, I like golf, winter sports, mountain biking on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and have taken up kite surfing with my son. Am I busy? Stephen Covey has a nice saying for it: “If you want to get something done, give it to a busy man” .