Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
After 30 years working at the intersection of emerging technology and commercial delivery across global markets, one thing is clear: technology doesn’t just enable change—it forces organisations to rethink how they lead, operate, and create value. AI is the most profound disruption I’ve seen. But real transformation doesn’t happen through strategy decks alone. It happens when people engage with the technology directly—testing it, applying it, and confronting the gap between how things work today and what’s now possible. I specialise in creating those moments: hands-on exploration, real use cases, and demonstrations that challenge the status quo and spark new thinking. I’m now focused on growing this into a consulting offering—supporting organisations to move from curiosity to capability, and from experimentation to impact.
Further challenging and instigating change in the way packaging is discovered, designed and deployed. Expanded into the laundry and homecare markets.
Challenging the way packaging is done with the aid of digital.
I was responsible for testing and preparing exercises for classes under the lecturer’s guidance. I achieved a training-level proficiency with 3D scanning equipment, which enabled me to deliver four unique classes on the topic. Additionally, I assisted students in improving their English CAD vocabulary.
While pursuing my Bachelor of Engineering Technology, I had the opportunity to work for the commercial arm of the polytechnic. Government funding enabled entrepreneurs to develop their ideas with the support of the institute’s engineers and designers. This role required a high degree of personal responsibility and a diverse range of tasks, which I excelled at and thoroughly enjoyed. My responsibilities varied greatly, from welding one day to translating clients’ ideas into drawings the next. Additionally, I had the chance to mentor overseas students from Germany and the US who came to the polytechnic for their practicals. Having started my career at a similar age, I empathized with their position and was able to provide guidance and mentorship.
After successfully completing my National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, I was offered a position at U-Group. The company specialized in designing and managing the production of relocatable housing that could be transformed into a 40-foot shipping container. With production based near Guangzhou, China, and the design team in Wellington, I had the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced CAD draftsmen, which elevated my SolidWorks skills to a professional level. As part of the team, I was responsible for modeling and generating part numbers for two product lines, each containing over 10,000 parts, accounting for every screw, wire, and welding feature. Additionally, I was assigned individual design tasks, which involved modeling and producing drawings. During my tenure at U-Group, I sought to gain international experience. However, my qualification at the time limited my ability to obtain working visas in other countries. This realization led me to pursue further studies and challenge myself at a higher level of learning.
While pursuing my two-year national diploma in mechanical engineering, I had the exciting opportunity to work as a paid student intern at Formway Furniture. My role involved creating work instructions for two new product lines that were about to enter production. With the design team still finalizing the product details and the factory floor bustling with activity, I was responsible for translating design drawings into actionable production steps. This experience required me to collaborate closely with the production team to understand the manufacturing process for various parts. I quickly realized that by taking initiative and applying both my prior experience and newly acquired engineering knowledge, I could expedite the task and improve efficiency. This internship was my first exposure to a factory environment, and it was then that I discovered my passion for this line of work, solidifying my decision to pursue a career in manufacturing.