A change in leadership: Stijn hands over his role to our new CFO Chiel

A world of opportunities and partnership
Spending eight years with a company leaves you with a lot of great memories. For Stijn, CARU has been a truly unique place to work. "It has been an absolute pleasure," Stijn says with a smile. "At CARU, the world is your playground. Opportunities for personal growth are everywhere, and I have had the privilege of experiencing that firsthand by taking on different roles throughout my journey here."

Stijn explains what makes CARU so special in his eyes: "We are large enough to be a trusted partner to the world's largest shipping lines. Yet, we are still small enough to remain agile, flexible, and constantly in motion. All while never losing sight of our people and our customers."

The past few years have been defined by building together. Stijn looks back proudly: "I have shared countless memorable moments with colleagues and business partners. Together, we have expanded CARU's footprint through acquisitions, opened new offices, and reshaped our partnerships. Throughout it all, CARU has remained firmly focused on its core business while steadily growing our network."

A warm welcome and a smooth handover
On the other side of the table, Chiel nods in agreement. Over the past few weeks, he has been completely immersed in the fast-paced world of container trading. "The transition has been going very smoothly," Chiel shares. "Stijn has been supportive in sharing his deep knowledge of the business, the market, and our stakeholders. His commitment to a thorough handover has given me an excellent starting point, and I am grateful for the time and effort he has invested to set me up for success."

Stijn: "In Chiel, CARU has found a CFO with an outstanding track record and the exact experience needed to help lead the company into its next successful phase. It has been a pleasure working alongside him during this handover, and I am one hundred percent confident that he will hit the ground running!"

Energy, passion, and immersing in the culture
As a new face in the organization, Chiel has spent his first few weeks listening and observing. So, what has stood out to him the most? "Without a doubt, the energy and passion of the people," Chiel says instantly. "CARU is a young, dynamic company filled with driven colleagues who genuinely care about the business and our customers. There is a powerful entrepreneurial mindset here and a real ambition to keep growing and improving. It is incredibly exciting to join a team with that kind of spirit."

The incoming CFO already has a clear roadmap for the period ahead. "My main focus will be on getting to know the organization, our international teams, and the people behind CARU’s success. I want to fully immerse myself in the culture, listen, learn, and build strong relationships with colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders. This foundation will allow me to contribute to CARU’s next phase of growth while supporting our entrepreneurial spirit with sound financial discipline."

Gratitude and a look to the future
As the conversation winds down, Stijn wants to share a final note of appreciation. "I would like to thank all of my colleagues. A special thank you goes to Lennart. Congratulations on your role as CEO! And thank you Rob Tromp for the wonderful years, the valuable lessons, and the many insights you shared with me."

Chiel smiles and concludes: "I feel privileged to join CARU at this stage of its journey. I look forward to learning from my colleagues around the world, building strong relationships with our stakeholders, and helping create the financial foundation that enables CARU to continue growing and creating long-term value."