Expat Profile
Chosen by art – the story of a Nigerian painter and author who embraces life in Romania
15 years ago, Kingsley Nwabia chose art – or, as he likes to say, was chosen by art. More than 200 paintings and a book after, he finds himself in Romania, where he settled in 2005. One hot summer afternoon, Romania Insider has talked to Kingsley- a natural born story teller too- in his Bucharest apartment, surrounded by an ad-hoc exhibition of his paintings.
Friedrich Niemann, upon departure: Sitting back and relaxing is not my cup of tea
After five years at the helm of the Athenee Palace Hilton five-star hotel in Bucharest, Friedrich Niemann has decided to change scenery. He will leave at the end of August to run another hotel in the Hilton chain in Berlin. Before embarking on the new journey, he has talked to Romania Insider about the five years in Romania and about the life of a hotel manager.
Brian Davies, BRCC chairman: ‘When friends ask me why do I go to Romania once a month, I say: to visit my money’
Brian Davies runs and owns part of a company which produces a simple, yet needed commodity: the plastic film wrap which holds together bottles and cans, the one that we all tear apart on the supermarket shelves to get the products we want. This is his day job, he likes to say as a joke to those who know him better as the chairman of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce. He has talked to Romania Insider about how the company set up business in Romania back in the 90s and about the changes down the road ever since.
David Nicholl, Schneider Electric: If you want happiness, make a choice about your attitude
David Nicholl started off as a salesman with Schneider Electric’ industrial division 13 years ago. Before coming to Romania to head the local subsidiary in 2006, he was already heading the industrial division in UK. With him, it’s about setting goals, even smaller ones to achieve a bigger target. And it’s also about having the right attitude in life. Romania Insider has talked to David Nicholl about his career, sports and goals.
Robin Martens: focused, practical, positive. ‘I’m the logistic hub for information’
Robin Martens’ first contact with Romania was in the early 90s, when he worked on the master plan for the port of Constanta. He has seen how doing business was in Romania back then and upon his return in 2001, he started to see the step-by-step changes. He has talked to Romania Insider about the things that shaped his life and about the principles he applies in business and in life.
The restless business hunter with an eye on the future
He was a high school athlete who changed paths and eventually became an entrepreneur. A business hunter, Gregoire Vigroux seems to always be in competition with himself and at all times to think about the next step. He chose to start his first business in Romania and, at 30, Gregoire already has a rich story [...]
Delia Burnham: ‘Learning the language was my motivational factor to come to Romania’
Delia Burnham is a social hub. She seems to always know somebody you need to get in touch with. She works in human resources, so it is quite natural for her to know a lot of people from different areas. Delia currently runs CVO Recruitment in Romania, after spending seven years in the country. We’ve spent some time talking about Delia’s journey to Romania – so here’s her story.
Frenchman goes in search of meaning and diversity to help disadvantaged people
There are 650,000 disabled people in Romania and less than 10 percent of them ever manage to find a job. A young French is fighting preconceptions and a sometimes faulted system to help these people in need and raise awareness among companies and individuals about diversity in the workplace. Stephane Meuret has shared some of his opinions and told a bit of his story to Romania Business Insider, rolling out ideas which will make you think twice about your life’s true meaning, especially in these times of economic turmoil and change.
Doing real estate (very) far from home – 17,000 km away from New Zealand
Blake Horsley is the only expat in the Colliers International office in Bucharest; he’s from a land far, far away. No, we’re not kidding, he is from New Zealand, which is more than 17,000 kilometers away from Romania- basically, on the other side of the world. Blake currently leads the investments and office divisions with [...]
About trust, real estate, honesty and… photography with Fellow Jonathan Youens
Meet Jonathan Youens and you will always learn something about real estate. Sometimes about photography too, if you’re as passionate about it as he is. He has been working in real estate for so long that it’s impossible not to share some of his experience. Romania Business Insider had a long talk with Jonathan and [...]
French fulfills dream in Romania with new car advertising business
French Maxime Porte had two objectives in life: live abroad and start his own business. He managed to pursue both in Romania. You will start to hear more often about his recently – set up business here, which places advertising on cars. Or better said, you will see it more often in fall, when he [...]
The show goes on for Jerry Van Schaik, from Amsterdam to Rembrandt and Van Gogh
Van Schaik is the name I have heard most often when I have asked around about expat investors people admire. I knew Jerry van Schaik back from when he was still running the Amsterdam Cafe. Eight months after opening the Van Gogh place, we paid him a visit to talk about the good old days [...]
The game plan: how did Bjorn Hauge get into real estate and what else is on his plate
Bjorn Hauge, the country manager of Norwegian investment fund Romania Invest came to work in real estate after a series of fortunate events and after being very persistent to land the job. Real estate became a passion in time, but Bjorn’s main passion is to create businesses. He is now planning sushi restaurants in Romania, [...]
From Ankara to Bucharest, via New York
With a passion for business that he inherited from his father, who started and manages a series of businesses in Turkey, Noyan Kirman got into business early on in high school. He hasn’t wasted any moment of his youth so far – traveled, studied and worked abroad. From Ankara, in Turkey, via New York, the [...]
Romania strikes gold, silver and bronze at European Gymnastics Championship, wins title after four years 
‘Magic mentalist’ wins ‘Romania’s got talent’ competition after flat-lining during live show 
Three trams collide, derail in Bucharest accident, at least 86 injured 
‘The Avengers’ epic movie almost covers production costs with first week-end box office revenues 
Athletic Bilbao files official complaint over Bucharest airport delays after Europa League final 
Wajiha Haris, Scheherazade Foundation president: “No” is never an option 
Romania’s Education Minister accused of having plagiarized three international research papers 
German STEAG buys wind farm from Romanian Monsson, plans EUR 200 mln investments 
Romanian actor Serban Ionescu left bed bound after catching Lyme’s disease from tick bite 
S Immo to put EUR 66 mln into The Mark – Bucharest office building with intelligent facade
