December 6th 2024
Talent is your greatest strength
- Talent
- Future
Rob Knigge has been chairman of the board of Refugee Talent Hub for almost 100 days now. In September, he succeeded Manon van Beek, who stepped down as chairman after eight years. High time to get to know Rob better. What is his first impression, what makes him happy and what does he find important in his work?
On a sunny Monday morning I meet Rob at BOOST, where Refugee Talent Hub has its office. A candid conversation follows – about the value of work and the opportunities that exist for employers in the Netherlands.
Why did you say 'yes' when Manon asked you to succeed her as chairman of the board?
“I’ve actually been involved with Refugee Talent Hub since it started,” says Rob. “Mostly in the background – Manon and I worked together at Accenture. And I knew straight away: this is a good idea. And now, almost eight years later, Manon asked me to be her successor. For me, that brought everything together, it was a full circle.”
In what way do you feel connected to the dream of Refugee Talent Hub?
“What I really think is a shame is that so much talent is lost. Simply because people and their potential are no longer being looked at, but rather CVs. If your CV does not match a vacancy 1-on-1, or if you have a background that does not match the recruiter's perception of the world, you are much more likely to be rejected. That really makes me angry.”
"To employers I would like to say: Make your talent pool diverse; it enriches your company culture and will benefit you and your people enormously! "
“We have a huge challenge in the Netherlands with all the staff shortages and there are many talented professionals who are standing on the sidelines. While it can be done differently. Newcomers have something to offer us and can really make a difference here. That idea needs to be embraced much more. Take the energy transition: at least 30,000 people are needed to achieve this. Those talents are there, but they are not yet being used sufficiently. That is a shame. At Accenture I learned early in my career that there is only one real strength, and that is talent. Talent makes an organization successful and ready for the future. Talent must be nurtured and developed.”
“As a society and from organizations, we need to recognize that too often, added value is still attributed to your last name or skin color. Talent has no last name or skin color. We really need to take steps in that, it needs to be removed from the system. It is a no-brainer that everyone has talent and that your last name or skin color have nothing to do with it.”
When you look at Refugee Talent Hub, what do you think?
“First of all, I am really impressed by the team we have. What passion, what professionalism. And secondly, I am very happy about the ambition we have: from 1,000 jobs in 2023, to helping 100,000 newcomers find a job in the coming years. And that new goal requires a next step. I am enthusiastic about that: how can we make that possible? Thinking about that makes my heart beat faster.”
Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up? What kind of environment was that?
“My parents both worked full time. That was special at the time. They taught me that you can get far by working hard. And in addition to their jobs, they both also had management positions – my mother, for example, in disability care. That combination of hard work and social contribution has always appealed to me.”
What do you find important in your work?
“Always keep learning. I love building, new ideas, ambitions, big picture. Working with deadlines, getting better together. That gives me a lot of energy. A good meeting, winning a deal or a nice work session with colleagues in which you crack that one nut… that makes me happy. Work gives me an enormous sense of belonging . And it keeps me active, gives me oxygen. It is incredibly important to me. Just like sports, by the way.”
Speaking of ambitions… Where do you hope Refugee Talent Hub will be in a few years?
“I hope that we have taken a big step towards that 100,000. That we have shown employers that things can be done differently, that working with newcomers is part of the system, that more people are convinced that everyone has talent. And that the activities and programs that we organize with our partners have opened even more eyes: it is good when newcomers participate. Good for your business, for the economy, for society and for people themselves.”
Finally, what advice would you like to give to employers and newcomers?
“I would like to say to employers: open your company to people you are missing now and who can bring you a lot for the future. Make your talent pool diverse: it enriches your company culture and will bring you and your people a lot!”
“And to newcomers I would like to say: register everywhere, use all the opportunities that are available to increase your network and your chances of getting a job. Be aware of your talent!”
