Can you tell us briefly about yourself and how many years you’ve been in the TIC industry and at AmSpec?
I’ve been in the TIC industry for over 25 years, starting in the field in Malta, where we handled all types of products and operations. No phones, no laptops—so prep was key. Offshore jobs meant figuring things out on the spot, with little or no contact ashore unless it was an emergency.
Since then, I’ve worked across labs, safety, operations, and branch management. I moved to Amsterdam in 2016 and joined AmSpec in 2018 when we were just a couple of offices in Europe. Since then, it has been an impressive journey — from a handful of people to over 2,500 across EMEA and APAC. It’s still a challenge every day, but I love that there’s always something new to learn.
What excites you most about working at AmSpec?
The sense of ownership and care towards the organization and the customer. We built this from the ground up, and everyone’s genuinely invested. It’s not just another job. We’re far from perfect, but if you show up and do your best for the customer, things move in the right direction.
How do you align operational strategy with business goals in EMEA & APAC?
We maintain the core standards consistently everywhere, while adapting to local working styles. The message stays clear: deliver for the client, ensure quality, and act as one team.
How do you ensure scalability while maintaining quality and cost efficiency?
We run lean by design, so everyone stays close to performance. Clear standards, early issue detection, and a solution-focused mindset are key.
When one location is stretched, others step in. That’s the culture we’ve built: supporting each other first to ensure the client is always covered. Of course, challenges will always come up—dealing with them is part of the job, not the exception.
What are the biggest operational differences between EMEA and APAC, and how do you navigate them?
The main differences lie in culture and the way teams communicate with clients. Some prefer calls, others lean on instant messaging, but in the end, the requirements and expectations remain the same. That’s why we allow flexibility at the local level based on client needs, while staying clear on one thing: the end result must meet the same standard, no matter where it’s delivered.
How do you ensure compliance across such varied regions?
Our compliance system is centralized, but the application is local. Strong local teams handle regional rules while staying aligned with the global quality framework. Audits, training, and check-ins help maintain consistency.
What’s your approach to cost optimization without cutting corners?
If a process doesn’t deliver value, we change it. There’s no point in procedures just to tick boxes. We constantly push to do things better—stay lean, be practical, and keep raising the bar.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in TIC over the next few years?
AI can simplify a lot, from reviewing nominations to helping with blending, loss control, and planning. It won’t replace people, but AI will reduce errors and save time. The goal is smarter—not just faster—operations.
What’s the most important lesson from building operations in EMEA & APAC?
It’s all about the people. A great process is useless without the right mindset behind it. You need to hire well, trust your team, and make space for different strengths. No one’s perfect, but if someone’s committed and willing to learn, the rest falls into place. And don’t underestimate the value of speaking directly to clients. Face-to-face conversations reveal what really matters—more than any report ever will.
What advice would you give someone starting in this industry?
It’s a tough industry—the 24/7 nature isn’t for everyone. But that’s also what makes it exciting. Operations are always moving, every job is different, and you get to see things through from start to finish. When it all comes together, it’s genuinely rewarding.
What makes it even more exciting is the international scope and the fact that it’s a growing, evolving industry. You’re constantly exposed to new methods, products, blending processes, renewable standards, etc. There’s always something new to learn—and if you’re curious, you’ll enjoy this. One thing’s for sure: it’ll never get boring.
