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.

‘I only interview and select candidates on the basis of skill and character.’

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.