This year marks a significant milestone, 50 years of Larive International. In honour of this anniversary, our team member Laura sat down with Matthias Brienen, one of our most valued colleagues, whose journey at Larive spans 14 remarkable years. Matthias began his career with us as a project manager in his mid-twenties, finding in Larive the space and freedom he had long been seeking after his corporate days. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication helped drive the company’s international growth. As we celebrate Larive’s 50 year anniversary, Matthias shares his decision to step back from his role.
Laura: Can you reflect on your first day or the moment you decided to join Larive?
Matthias: Following my graduation in Macro-economics at Utrecht University, I joined the Ernst & Young Transaction Advisory department in Amsterdam. While I very much enjoyed being part of a world class international audit, tax and advisory firm, I missed being ‘in the field’ and therefore joined Larive in 2011. What attracted me from day one was the entrepreneurial spirit, deep-rooted network, and getting things done mentality.
I reported to senior Partner Frank Zuure, who gave me the trust and opportunities to interact with a variety of clients. My first engagement was for Vialis, a company specialised in designing, building and maintaining traffic systems, having the appetite to expand its business into Central and Eastern Europe.
L: What were your expectations and first impressions?
M: During my first years at Larive International in Zeist, I have been exposed to a range of clients across various industries. Handling multiple clients in parallel requires you to switch quickly between subjects. It was a steep learning curve.
From 2013-2015, I was offered the opportunity to lead Larive’s regional activities in South East Asia based out of Bangkok, which allowed me to travel intensively in the region, most notably to Indonesia and Myanmar.
L: What are the most notable differences between then and now?
M: As Larive is active in over 25 countries across Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, there is a lot of communication going on. Back in the days, Skype was the primary form of communication between the Larive Group colleagues. Typically, your workday started with dialling in Asia (5-7h ahead).
Over the past years, the abundance of information has exploded. Nevertheless, the importance of insights (what does this data mean for our organisation) and access to local networks of entrepreneurs and business owners has become even more important for successfully entering and expanding your business in emerging markets.
Personal experiences and projects
Over the course of 14 years at Larive, Matthias has worked on a wide variety of projects across many continents. We asked him which projects have left the deepest impression on him.
L: Can you elaborate on a few of the most enjoyable or memorable projects?
M: I hold warm memories of all the clients I have had the pleasure of serving, though I will name a few:
- Filtration Group Corporation: A US-based company we supported with establishing a greenfield manufacturing site (7,300 m²) in Pilsen, Czech Republic. We supported the process from A-Z: Site selection, full factory set-up process, including incorporation of the company, recruitment of key management, submitting an application for state aid and various project management services (interaction with suppliers, permitting and supervising of the construction process on-site).
- Bugaboo: A mobility concept creator and leading designer and producer of strollers and stroller accessories. We helped them enter the market in South Korea by incorporating their legal entity, providing business intelligence, assessing the competitive landscape, identifying local distribution channels and certification requirements, and recruiting their key personnel.
- De Heus: A leading manufacturer of animal nutrition, concentrates and premixes. I was involved in numerous engagements in Asia and initiated PT Indo Aqua Sukses, the JV in Indonesia, to introduce hormone-free tilapia genetics and production.
L: Which experiences have most influenced your professional and personal development?
M: Undoubtedly, the trust provided by former partners/Directors Frank Zuure and Haiko Emanuel. Their mentorship accelerated my career and contributed to becoming the person I am nowadays.
From project manager to owner
Eventually, Matthias, along with Wouter van Vliet and Davinia Lamme, became an owner of Larive. In 2018, they took over the reins from the previous owners.
L: How did you experience the shift from employee to owner?
M: This development came quite naturally. It was a path jointly planned with the former and current partners/shareholders of Larive. But indeed, once you are handed over the keys of the company, you are ultimately responsible for driving the business and taking care of the team. Your personal growth starts at the edges of where you feel comfortable.
The future
L: After 14 years, the time has come to say goodbye.
M: After 14 years, I believe it’s time to reinvent myself. Having spent >18 years in advisory roles, I seek an opportunity to challenge myself again from different perspectives. Clearly, I will miss the fantastic colleagues both in the Netherlands as well as from the Larive Group overseas. Having said that, it’s a small world, so I am confident paths will cross again.
L: Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you feel is important to share?
M: Emerging markets are constantly changing, and there will be windows of opportunity which are often hard to predict. I believe that Larive brings together a group of unique entrepreneurial advisors, which enables clients to accelerate their business during various circumstances. In parallel, the initiatives implemented by the foreign investors Larive guides contribute to the economic and social development in emerging markets. I’m confident the organisation will continue its mission and Larive will always be in my heart.
