Peter Geiregat

TVH recently named Peter Geiregat as its chief people officer, watching over around 4,500 staff globally. He revealed a bit about himself and the task ahead to Forkliftaction News.

FLA: Prior to this appointment, what has been your biggest achievement?
PG:In my previous role as chief people officer of Showpad, a sales enablement software company, I built the HR function from scratch. Over a period of four years, we tripled the team - with more than 600 hires, spread over seven offices - and built a strong, global HR team of 25 people. We quadrupled our revenue over this period, won the LinkedIn Best Employer Brand award and managed to scale the culture successfully, despite our strong, international growth.

FLA: What excites you most about the materials handling industry?
PG: I have only joined the sector very recently but am excited to see its impact across many industries. My main reason to join TVH is to build the best employee experience, leading to also an even stronger customer experience in our industry.

FLA: What is the most significant change you have seen in the industry in your time?
PG: In all honesty, I do not have experience in the industry but am keen to see how it evolves in these unprecedented times of change the world is going through.

FLA: What are the biggest challenge and opportunity that you see in your new role?
PG: Acquiring and retaining the best talent will only become more important for all organisations. Creating a clear sense of purpose and investing in the human aspects of work, with meaningful interactions and personal growth, will be both the biggest challenge and opportunity.

FLA: Can you share one piece of information about yourself which would surprise our readers?
PG: Next to my HR experience in different companies, I also worked for NGOs, like Doctors Without Borders, also in conflict zones. Both worlds can learn from each other.