BrazilSparkOptimus welcomes associate partners and managers
Dutch digital transformation consulting firm SparkOptimus has seen stellar growth in recent years, with its headcount nearing the barrier of 100 consultants and staff. In the first four months of this year, ten professionals have joined the firm’s ranks, including two associate partners.
Estbalished in 2010, SparkOptimus has in the space of eight years managed to successfully nestle itself among the top players in the Dutch management consultancy space. Last month the company was named the country’s consulting firm for digital marketing and e-business topics, ranking ahead of the likes of strategy giants McKinsey and BCG, and Big Four firms Deloitte and EY.
Commenting on the firm’s recognition, SparkOptimus’ Managing Partner Tom Voskes said the prize is testimony to the firm’s approach and the quality of its team members, which as it stand is at around 90. Ten of those are relatively new to the firm, having joined SparkOptimus since the start of the year.
Bart van Dun and Rémi Sapin both have been appointed an associate partner. The prior joined from A.T. Kearney, where he spent 10 years working with telecom, media, and insurance clients on large-scale transformation and commercial growth projects. Van Dun served A.T. Kearney in the firm’s Amsterdam and Dubai offices, and has worked on engagements across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Asked about what he looks forward to, Van Dun said “Supporting our clients to bridge the gap between strategy and digital operations, combining long term value creation with immediate impact, I enjoy each and every project!”
Rémi Sapin also transferred from a consultancy firm. He previously worked for Javelin Group in the UK (part of Accenture) and for Arthur D. Little in Brussels. Sapin has gained extensive experience with business and digital transformation in the retail and consumer goods sectors, and with applying those to new sectors, including industrials and telecom.
Reflecting on his move, he said: “SparkOptimus has hit the nail on the head: it is no longer about digital transformation but about business disruption enabled by digital. I am very excited to be working side-by-side with clients, helping them to rethink their businesses, shape their futures and deliver on their plans.”
One level below them (manager) are three new joiners; Lucia Purcaru, Koen Verschuren and Nuno Ferreira. Similarly to Sapin, Purcaru relocated for her new challenge (from Berlin for Amsterdam) and similarly to Van Dun, she made the jump from A.T. Kearney. Purcaru, who studied International Logistics at Jacobs University Bremen, is excited by the prospect of working in digital transformation and getting closer to results delivery. “Inspiring work, high impact, great people, diverse challenges, active part in digital disruption – I’m in for the journey.”
Nuno Ferreira previously gained experience with digital trends and technologies, operating models, agile working and IT project management during his four years at Accenture. “I am fascinated by the way new technologies are transforming our lives, and also anxious to experience how it is going to change our economies and societies in the future. At SparkOptimus, I am thrilled to be part of, and contribute to that transformation, for the better.”
Lastly, Koen Verschuren has been brought on board to support the firm’s data science and tech-designed operational excellence offerings. He previously worked for data science consultancy BigData Republic, where he led many engagements focused on the implementation of data-based services into business processes. “At SparkOptimus, I can complement implementation with a role to instigate, inspire and lead the process of adopting and integrating disruptive data services. This goes beyond data architecture and algorithms into more “soft” areas like change management and company strategy.”
On top of the five more senior professionals, SparkOptimus also welcomed a batch of junior consultants (Denise Klop, Emile Röell and Wouter van Haaften) and two members of the support staff (Erna Doekes and Martijn Laveber).
