about

Chris completed the Hofstede Insights Intercultural Management and Organizational Culture certification programs. Culture has always been at the heart of Chris’ story: “I’m African by birth, Dutch by descent, Australian by relation, American and British by association, Arabian by residence and Canadian by choice”.

During times of rapid cultural change in his country, he became a South African Air Force pilot, commissioned by President Nelson Mandela. Before immigrating to Canada, his aviation career took him to the Arabian Peninsula for almost two decades where he worked with colleagues and students from 19 different countries, including five NATO member states; nine states of the Commonwealth of Nations and all six Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Professional success stories include work done for large multinational aerospace, defense, security and engineering corporations based in London, U.K., Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. Chris has worked with Government agencies of the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

His broad international exposure, deep knowledge of human factors and Chris’ personal cultural competence add credible weight to the Hofstede Insights models and tools. Chris can help you uncover the seemingly elusive intangibles of culture and take you on a deep dive of truth. You will discover that we can help you hone the attitudes that you desire most in your people, allowing you to create the culture you need.

With a Masters in Management, Chris appreciates the significance of our massive and mature culture database, built up over decades of ethical research practices, and replicated over 50 times. He knows that Hofstede Insights clients will benefit from the robust science behind the modern processes, tools and suggested interventions. “Attitude. Changes. Culture.” – the tagline of his consultancy SAPIENS@WORK, hints to where Chris intends to start working with you on your organization.

Chris’ qualifications include postgraduate degrees in management and business administration. In the aviation world he is a Lead Auditor of quality management systems, a Human Factors Trainer Examiner, and have held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and Fighter Instructor Pilot certification. He is a member of the British Royal Aeronautical Society and the American Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Chris served as Vice-Chair of a Residents Association, a community representative position to enhance community and social life on a compound that housed 3000 expatriates. He is registered as volunteer at an aviation museum, local school, air cadets and regional police.

“We don’t have to accept the world as it is. We could do our part to seek the world as it should be.” – Nelson Mandela

certifications 

• Intercultural Management
• Organizational Culture Practitioner
• Human Factors Trainer Examiner
• Lead Auditor of Quality Management Systems ISO 9001
• Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and Flying Instructor (CFI)
• Fighter Instructor Pilot (Fast Jet QFI)
• International Coaching Federation ICF (In progress)

HONOURS AND AWARDS

• Cum Laude Masters Degree in Management
• National Aerobatic Team member
• Member of the British Aeronautical Society
• Member of the American Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
• Member of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association
• Member of the Canadian Legion of Veterans
• Member of the Royal Air Forces Association
• Unitas Medal awarded by President Nelson Mandela