Alexander Goossens
Chief of Staff - Rotterdam, Headquarters
Alexander, can you tell us about your role?
I am the Chief of Staff based at our Rotterdam headquarters. I work closely with VTTI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to connect the leadership with the rest of the company.
VTTI is actually the first employer that I have ever worked for. I originally joined the company at our terminal in Antwerp in a business development role as a commercial coordinator. Starting out at an ‘asset’ – in other words, at our one of our terminals – has taught me a lot about the business.
“Leadership only works if you can understand how it will affect operations in practice, so my experience of working at a terminal definitely helps in my current role as Chief of Staff to the leadership team.”
What part do you play in the leadership team?
My role is to facilitate the work of the leadership team. I accompany the CEO in most meetings and I make sure that the actions we decide on are then implemented. My work also regularly involves engaging with our shareholders.
That is why it’s useful for me to know what VTTI is doing in terms of its operations. Our operations drive our revenue, and a key part of my role involves being able to explain that to shareholders. If I don’t know the answer to a question, I usually know someone who does.
What’s the best part of the job for you?
I enjoy the personal connections that my role allows me to make across the company. As Chief of Staff, I want to keep in touch with colleagues across the business, so I can understand the progress we are making together at VTTI. It is an exciting period of growth for us, and our infrastructure portfolio is increasingly global.
When I was exploring my career options after university, I was keen to work for an international company, so I find connecting with colleagues around the world extremely rewarding. We’re lucky to have people from so many different backgrounds.
Reflecting on your progression at VTTI, what would you say you are proudest of?
I think I have proven to myself that you can combine operational and business development roles in a career in the energy industry. Some other companies would be more resistant to such a path, but the attitude at VTTI is not siloed at all.
If you show ambition, VTTI will meet you with enthusiasm. This could mean supporting colleagues abroad, lending your skills to another part of the business, building customer relationships, and much more. I’m proud to have progressed within VTTI, and I look forward to embracing all the opportunities available in this proactive, fast-growing company.
