We are all unique human beings. It may sound clichéd, but that’s really the way I look at people – clients, candidates, everyone I meet. All of them have their own stories, cultures, and backgrounds. To me, they make life interesting.
In 2000, my love for Japan took me on a six-week journey through this beautiful country. My husband is half-Japanese and in 2016, we visited the country together. That second trip was even more memorable. This beautiful country and its rich culture have always played an important part in my life. My three children all have Japanese names as does my company. Akira means ‘wisdom’, which I feel applies both to candidates and clients I work with. After all, wisdom is what they need to choose something different, to change career paths, or adopt a different approach.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity has been on my agenda for a long time. I know from personal experience that diversity and inclusion help teams and organizations achieve success and drive results. And it’s not just my own experience: research proves that having employees from different backgrounds, with differing views and perspectives, allows companies to flourish.
A trust-based foundation
To find the right top professionals, I’m entrusted with a lot of information about organizations. That trust is the foundation for a successful executive search. I’m passionate about finding the perfect match, and I always respond and act quickly. This clarity, pace, and flexibility allows me to help managers and boards to gather diverse teams of employees.
The journey to Akira Search
In 2000, I started my career at an international headhunter, Leaders Trust International Executive Search. At this company I was tasked with sourcing the right people for various executive-level roles, both nationally and internationally. Subsequently, at the Nederlandsche Bank, I was responsible for permanent recruitment in one of its departments.
From 2016 to 2022, I was in charge of the executive search for de Recruiter. There, I focused on mediating IT, HR, and operations professionals at executive and director level.
After all these valuable experiences at different employers, I felt I was ready for the next step – starting my own company.
I have been working with Fleur over the past 7 years at two different organisations. There are many recruitment agencies in the industry but if u want a real long-term partnership with a transparent approach, a fast pace and a large network Fleur is the perfect professional to work with. She has an immediate feel for the organisation’s dynamic, culture and personalities, she will look for candidates who will not only be a fit but also an add-on to the teams. Fleur feels very comfortable with the international setting and with the local sourcing.
Voordat Fleur mij bemiddelde voor een interim klus, hebben we meerdere gesprekken gevoerd. Ze wilde mij écht leren kennen en zeker weten dat de opdrachtgever en ik goed bij elkaar zouden passen. Ze is een absolute professional met oog voor het talent, de passie en het karakter van de kandidaat. En een van de weinige Executive Consultants die ook tijdens de opdracht en daarna contact blijft houden en een goede sparringpartner is bij moeilijke keuzes. Ik kijk er naar uit om in de toekomst vaker met haar te mogen samenwerken!
Fleur en ik hebben erg prettig samengewerkt.
In mijn positie Director Technology & Operations van een organisatie in opbouw, heeft Fleur me meermaals positief verrast. In een krappe arbeidsmarkt voor IT professionals heeft ze in korte tijd zeer relevante kandidaten aangeleverd; die een goede match op technisch inhoudelijk vlak en, minstens zo belangrijk, ook op menselijk vlak bleken.
Fleur is professioneel, snel, accuraat, luistert goed en stelt de juiste vragen.
Fleur is a go-getter and an all-rounder. She works fast, is on top of things and always delivers. I have worked with her on many occasions and continue to do so because I know I can count on her for a very broad and diverse range of vacant positions. I wholeheartedly recommend her as a talent acquisition partner.
Over het afgelopen jaar heeft Akira Search geholpen met het succesvol invullen van verschillende HR vacatures. Fleur is zeer doortastend, kwaliteitsgedreven en laat niet los tot ze de juiste kandidaat gevonden heeft. Ze is een betrouwbare en succesvolle partner gebleken die bereid is om de extra mile te gaan. Haar unieke talent is dat ze een zachte stijl in haar communicatie combineert met de juiste commerciële instelling. Hierdoor is ze in staat om het echte talent aan tafel te krijgen en elke search succesvol af te ronden.
Hiernaast heeft Fleur mij als kandidaat succesvol geplaatst bij een van haar klanten. Ze begeleidde het proces nauwkeurig en voortvarend en wist door haar oprechte interesse goed mijn wensen te vertegenwoordigen en hierdoor een goede match te verzekeren.
Fleur from Akira search reached out to me for a freelance Head of Technology role. Not sure how she knew how to find me, since we were not connected before, and I was not looking for a new assignment yet, enjoying a well-deserved holiday abroad. Did accept the role though, since the position Fleur called for checks almost all my boxes on preferred organisation, role and value I can add. So happy with that and impressed with the match she made.
The interviews, contracting and invoicing are all very practical and pleasant ways of collaborating. Can only recommend it.
Fleur approached me for a new job some time ago. From that moment it took less than 2 weeks before I got the job offer, mainly thanks to her way of working with Fleur. She can clearly explain the expectations from the candidate and also what the candidate can expect from the new employer. Fleur is very involved throughout the process, is easy to reach and takes the time for each question or advice. Fleur is a ‘no nonsense’ professional who knows the business and with whom it is very pleasant to work!
Both when I found an interim advisory job at my previous project and when I contacted Akira Search again to find talents for some roles, I experienced how professional, to the point and quick Fleur works. I was very impressed with her direct and transparent communication style, how speedy she found great talents for various roles, and the huge network she has full of talented professionals. I would work with Fleur again and can highly recommend her!
Having known Fleur for many years I decided to connect with her end of last summer when I decided to return to Europe after more than a decade of living and working in Hong Kong. The main thing I remembered when we reconnected was her genuine interest in my background, to understand my ambitions and her selfless dedication to helping me explore the job market in Amsterdam. Her support and advice went much broader than just finding me a new role; she made introductions for me to expand my network in Amsterdam, shared her views on the job and candidate market, and guided me through the various career paths I could take in this new career phase I was about to enter.
Additionally, what for me sets Fleur apart, is the fact that she can look beyond mere technical skills and can see opportunities based on potential, cultural fit and transferable skills. I believe it is due to Fleur’s open mind and passion for her candidates (and clients) that she was able to find me a suitable role, in a for me new geographical location, in a both very personal and efficient way. I have been working in my new role for nearly 3 months now and I could not have been happier with both the search process as well as the career opportunity.