Koen van Gurp

Director / Passion for People & Organizations / APAC Talent Management / Board Member

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About

For over 20 years, I have been following my passion for recruitment, working with diverse roles and industries in Europe and Asia. As the co-founder and director of TalentSquare, a boutique executive search firm based in Kuala Lumpur, I lead a team of dedicated consultants who specialize in senior management and leadership placements across Asia, with a focus on oil and gas, energy, chemicals, and manufacturing sectors. I believe in a data-driven and science-based approach to recruitment, using various psychometric and cognitive assessments tools to eliminate bias and find the perfect fit for our clients. We have a strategic partnership with Thomas International, a global leader in talent assessment solutions, and I am certified in PPA, HPTI, and TEIQue tools. We have a track record of working with European clients, leveraging our understanding of European company cultures and our strong knowledge of local talent markets in Asia. We have successfully placed hundreds of senior managers and leaders in 10 different countries across Asia Pacific and beyond. I am also a board member of the Malaysian Dutch Business Council, a trade and investment support organization that provides business services, representation, and networking for more than 200 member-companies. I am always open to get in contact with talented candidates, HR professionals or Business Leaders so do reach out to me to connect!

Experience

  • Managing Director at TalentSquare Sdn Bhd
    Oct 2009 - Present · 16 yrs 9 mos

    Data driven approach in talent management and talent retention.

  • Board of Directors at Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC)
    Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

    With a network of more than 200 member-companies spanning all industry sectors, we are a trade & investment support organization that has its strength in providing business services, representation and networking. Established in 1996 to forge and foster business ties between Malaysia and the Netherlands, the MDBC is considered one of the most active business organisations in Malaysia. We have and provide links with relevant government authorities, other industry organizations, chambers and agencies, diplomatic, corporate and NGO contacts. The MDBC runs various special programs sch as the successful Student Internship Program (coordinating internships for Dutch students in Malaysia with our member-companies) and the annual MDBC Sustainability Awards. MDBC also operates a Chapter in Penang. You can find MDBC on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

  • Corporate Recruiter (a.i.) at Siemens The Netherlands N.V.
    Jun 2007 - Jun 2008 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Interim Corporate Recruiter for Finance positions in The Netherlands. Main focus on recruiting Business and Project Controllers.

  • Management Recruiter (a.i.) at Unilever
    Apr 2006 - May 2007 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Responsible for recruiting R&D staff for the Unilever Food & Health Research Institute. Last 5 months focus on recruitment of Trainees and experienced staff for Marketing & Sales, Finance, HRM and Supply Chain Management.

  • Recruiter at H.J. Heinz BV
    Jun 2003 - Apr 2006 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    via Human Key Recruitment Outsourcing. Responsible for recruitment for Finance, HRM, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain Management and for the Heinz Innovation Center in Nijmegen.