EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
Q . TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE
» I ’ m Barry Koolen and I ’ m CEO for the Europe , Middle East & Africa ( EMEA ) region at Crown Worldwide Group , one of the largest privately -owned , specialist logistics companies in the world . I ’ m also the Group ‘ s Chief Strategy Officer and sit on the Executive Board .
We employ just over 3,000 people in 45 countries across the globe , working with a network of service and supply chain partners to relocate families and employees , digitise , manage and store corporate information , relocate and reimagine workspaces and handle and store fine art .
Our businesses sit at the intersection of several of society ’ s biggest global conundrums : digital transformation , the changing world of work and living overseas – all of which face complexity and challenge .
My role is to ensure our teams are supporting customers by making it simpler to live , work and do business anywhere in the world . I ’ m also tasked with empowering our leaders to diversify our brands and innovate to add greater value for clients and supply chain partners .
As part of the Executive Board , I work with a small team to ensure the long-term health of the company , look at issues that come up between the regions and make investment decisions for the group .
“ Financial success means we can invest more in our people , in innovation , in being more sustainable and in growth ”
Q . WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WORKING IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN SPACE ?
» I started out in my native New Zealand . After going to St Johns College Hamilton , my first job was with HM Customs where I developed an interest in international trade and movement of people . I then worked for The Moving Company , where I moved through the ranks to become Branch Manager .
In the mid-90s , I took the opportunity to move to the UK and work as the General Manager for Crown Relocations in Scotland , later becoming the MD for the UKI & Northern Europe , then the CEO for the EMEA region .
The international relocations industry marries the movement of people – encompassing everything from visas to cultural adaptation – with the logistics of moving household goods and prized possessions from one side of the world to the other . During my journey at Crown ,
supplychaindigital . com 19