Michiel Egeler was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Bachelor at The Erasmus University in Rotterdam.Masters degree in Business Administration in Delft. With the idea of an international career: traineeships during his study at KLM-Dutch airlines and Heineken. Heineken was so enthusiastic that a job-proposal was made.
Started with Heineken in 1977. Several positions in Marketing and Sales in the Netherlands.
General Management positions in Papua New Guinea, Curaçao, Brazil and Indonesia.
My 4 children went with me over the world and did their IB in the American International School system. They are now all studying in Holland.
Hobbies: Golf, skiing, sailing and many other things.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived Mid October 2006 via Amsterdam, The Netherlands from Jakarta, Indonesia to take over the responsibility of the Heineken Company in Hungary, Brau Union Hungaria.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have worked as an expatriate for Heineken in Papua New Guinea (long time ago, when it was still a nice country to live), in Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in Indonesia. So I will experience seasons and a winter for the first time here in Hungary.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
That is getting dark at 4 pm! I cant get used to that!!!
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and
do?
Admire the view from Gellért hegy, visit the Opera House and the Bazilika, drink a cold Heineken in one of the many nice bars, have a good dinner with some nice Hungarian wine.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Goose-liver, but the preparation is key.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Dutch cheese (Old Amsterdam) and Heineken.
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Egészségedre
8. What do you miss the most from home?
It is difficult to consider Holland home after living abroad for so many years, but if anything, the skating on the Dutch lakes and channels (although I understand that there are no cold winters any longer because of the global warming).
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Non, otherwise I would have gone for that.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Consultant or any Staff position.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Bali, Indonesia.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Winter-sports in Switzerland.
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I am from the The Beatles generation.
14. What can't you resist?
No comment!
15. Red wine or white?
Red, but quite often a Heineken.
16. Book or movie?
Both and also DVD.
17. Morning person or night person?
Night: that is a must in my job.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Non.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda, but on walking distance from Pest!
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Have passion in everything you do!