Some careers are built on a specific plan. Others start with a spark of curiosity and grow into a lifelong passion for international trade. That has been my story.

When I started in shipping almost 20 years ago, I didn't have a grand masterplan. I was a young guy who had just spent four months traveling the world, and I knew one thing: I wanted a career with a 
global perspective. I wanted a network that spanned borders and a job that could take me anywhere.

I started as a shipping trainee, but it didn't take long before I realized that my energy was better suited for sales. I moved from shipping to the commercial side during my apprenticeship, and I haven't looked back since. I spent seven years learning the ropes at a competitor before joining ESS-FOOD 12 years ago. What was meant to be a new challenge in a corporate environment became a decade-long journey of building something from the ground up.

My focus has always been the Middle East. It is a region that requires a certain temperament. You have to be a "change expert" because, in our industry, no two days are alike. I am not driven by repetitive tasks or six-month projects. I am driven by the kick of a good deal and the fast-paced nature of global trade. I like the fact that when I walk into the office, I don't know exactly what the day will bring.

In a large organization like Danish Crown, ESS-FOOD acts as a specialized unit. We have the backing of a corporate giant, but on our office in Aalborg, we maintain a flat structure and a casual, direct culture. I appreciate that balance. It fits my temperament that we aren't too top-heavy. We focus on the business.

I have grown with the responsibility. When I started my department, I was more or less a one-man show. I was so focused on growth and ambitions that I struggled to even hold a vacation. Today, I lead a team of dedicated people. Seeing them grow is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. 
Their success is my motivation.

My leadership style is based on followership. I want to show the way through dedication and energy. I expect my team to be curious. In this business, if you aren't curious about your customers and your markets, you won't find the opportunities that lie beneath the surface.

The life of a "kødhandler" can be demanding. Between trade fairs in Dubai, international travel, and late-night dinners with customers, it’s easy to lose yourself in the buzz. One of the most important 
lessons I ever learned came from an early boss in Mumbai. He was tough, hierarchical, and demanding. He taught me a mantra I still live by and pass on to my team today: Never take no for an answer.

Everything is possible if you push hard enough. That persistence, combined with a gut feeling earned over nearly 20 years, is what I bring to the table.

And that is why, 12 years after joining ESS-FOOD to build a department, I am still here. Still pushing, still traveling, and still looking for the next deal.