The most outstanding interviews are presented below - after a quick intro - separated into seven categories for easy reading.

Participants all show the personality behind their positions - and their answers include valuable knowledge about navigating life within the vibrant international community here.

Summary of Interview Categories

I. Influential Local Leaders

II. Distinguished Diplomats

III. Int'l Educational Experts

IV. Expat Business Captains

V. Hospitality Legends

VI. Expat Personalities

VII. 'Surprising Expats'

- See title links to explore all the top interviews in each category.

Quick Intro: To Benefit All

For 23 years XpatLoop.com has been regarded as the go-to English language portal in Hungary, due to its independent and comprehensive selection of 'helpful information and inspiration': 

- including fresh news and events, daily movie listings, a handy directory and Insider's Guides.

One of the standout sections is Xpat Interviews, which provides a positive platform for people of all nationalities in Hungary to share their experience and perspectives - to the benefit of all.

This popular part of the portal features 'Lifestyle Interviews' with a diverse range of key figures - from business leaders to distinguished diplomats, and from local icons to surprising expats.

Positive People: With Practical Wisdom

A great variety of topics are covered in these interviews - as they're intended to inspire by illustrating achievements, advice and aspirations of folks worth knowing about in Hungary.

For instance, readers can delve into the thoughts and experiences of the British Ambassador, who shares insights into his diplomatic mission and reflections on expat life here.

Another captivating highlight is an in-depth interview with the local boss of tech giant Google. Which brings us to the topic of:  'What do you see when you Google yourself'?

Get In: Great Google Results

Worth noting is that interviews on XpatLoop.com come up very high, if not top, on the first page of search results when participants Google themselves. 

Since we all live in a 'Google world' these days, this extra advantage of doing an interview with XpatLoop has clear benefits for interviewees and anyone looking to learn more about them.

At any rate, these interviews are a fascinating read, full of amazing anecdotes and practical info
- like someone's wine preference, for example. 

Gold Mine: Inspiring Life Stories & Handy Insights

An abundance of intelligence is available in the 100's of Xpat Interviews to date

- here's a curated selection to showcase many of the best for your interest:


I. INFLUENTIAL LOCAL LEADERS

1. Péter Noszek, CEO, Nestlé Hungary
2. Pál Bíró, Country Manager, Google Hungary
3. Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi, General Manager, B+N Referencia
4. Sandor Zwack, Chairman of Board of Directors, Zwack Unicum
5. József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air & Co-Owner of Juliet Victor

6. Gabriella Heiszler, CEO, SPAR Hungary
7. Péter Haraszti, Founder, CEO & Shareholder, TritonLife
8. Attila Tóth, General Manager, Aviareps Hungary
9. Dr. László Sabjányi, Managing Director, Bolt Hungary
10. László Krisán, CEO of KAVOSZ & President of Budapest Chamber of Commerce
+ see here for more.

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II. DISTINGUISHED DIPLOMATS

1. Susan Kleebank, Ambassador of Brazil
2. Paul Fox, British Ambassador
3. Dr. Kyudok Hong, Ambassador of Korea 
4. Saad Abdullah Al Asousi, Ambassador of Kuwait
5. Francisco Munis, Ambassador of Malaysia

6. A.H. Dimas Wahab, Ambassador of Indonesia
7. Abdulla Falah Adulla al-Dosari, Ambassador of Qatar
8. Ragnar Almqvist, Irish Ambassador
9. Enrique Alvarado, Ambassador of Venezuela
10. Еlda Spasse, President of The Diplomatic Spouses
+ see here for more.

+ Popular Archive Examples:

1. Former President of Hungary
2. Former U.S. Ambassador
3. Former Ambassador of Israel
4. Former Ambassador of Thailand
5. Former Ambassador of India

6. Former Ambassador of Spain
7. Former Ambassador of Mexico
8. Former Australian Ambassador
9. Former Canadian Ambassador
10. Former Dutch Ambassador

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III. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HEADS & EDUCATIONAL EXPERTS

1. Neil McGarry, Principal, Britannica International School, Budapest
2. Tom McLean, Director, International School of Debrecen
3. Brett Penny, Director, American International School Of Budapest
4. Dave Strudwick, Principal, REAL School
5. Ben Turner, Principal, The British International School, Budapest
+ see here for more.

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IV. EXPAT BUSINESS CAPTAINS

1. Noah M. Steinberg, Chairman & CEO of WING
2. Geert Swaanenburg, MD, Heineken Hungary
3. Gabriel Makki, CEO, Kifli.hu
4. Dennis A. Diokno, CEO, FirstMed
5. Daniel J. Poisson, CEO, DunaPro

6. Martin Coulam, Director, Tesco Hungary
7. Mike Glover, Chair & Co Founder, Taxually
8. John Ford, Country Manager Hungary, GoTo
9. Diego Rango d'Aragona, CEO, Decathlon Hungary
10. Andrew Prest, Board Member at AutoWallis Group.
+ see here for more.

+ Popular Archive Examples:

1. Former MD at Mercedes-Benz Hungária
2. Former MD at BMW Group Hungary
3. Former CEO at Siemens Hungary
4. Former CEO at Budapest Airport
5. Former Chairman & CEO at Magyar Telekom

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V. HOSPITALITY LEGENDS

Leading Hoteliers

1. Thibaut Drege, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Budapest
2. Balázs Kovács, CEO, Danubius Hotels
3. Tamás Fazekas, General Manager, Anantara New York Palace Hotel, Budapest
4. András Polgár, CEO, Thermal Hotel Visegrád
5. Sameer Hamdan, Owner & GM, Mellow Mood Group

6. Anikó Horváth, General Manager, Mystery Hotel Budapest
7. Cameron McNeillie, General Manager, Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection
8. Mazen Al Ramahi, CEO of Zara Hotels Hungary
9. Ádám Turbucz, General Manager, Mellow Mood Hotels in Budapest
10. Andrea Schwindt-Kiss, General Manager, Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest,
+ see here for more.

+ Popular Archive Examples

1. Arne Klehn, Former General Manager, Budapest Marriott Hotel
2. Peter Knoll, Former General Manager, Hilton Budapest
3. Zoltán Árvai, Former General Manager At Hilton Budapest

Culinary Icons

1. Károly Gerendai, Owner of Costes Restaurants in Budapest
2. István Pesti, Executive Chef, Platán Gourmet Restaurant in Tata
3. Ádám Barna, Chef, 42 Restaurant, Esztergom
4. Zoltán Roy Zsidai, Owner & CEO, Zsidai Group
5. Ákos Sárközi, Chef, Borkonyha Restaurant

6. Osama Kutaini, Chef & Owner Of Byblos - Fine Lebanese & Levantine Cuisine
7. Wang Qiang AKA Master Wang, Chef & Owner at Wang Budapest
8. Ahmad Tabche, Restaurateur, Owner of Leila's Authentic Lebanese Restaurant
9. Márk Molnár, Executive Chef, Costes Group Budapest
10. Preecha Boonbutta, Chef & Owner of Im-Oon Thai Restaurant Budapest
+ see here for more.

+ Popular Archive Examples

1. Miguel Vieira, Former Chef at Costes Restaurant Budapest
2. Tamás Széll, Former Sous Chef At Onyx Restaurant
3. Szabina Szulló, Former Executive Chef At Onyx Restaurant
4. Dániel Varga, Former Chef at AUM Restaurant Budapest
5. Gergő Gullner, Former Executive Chef, InterContinental Budapest

Fine Wine & Spirits (+ Beer!) Professionals

1. Pálma Koch, Winemaker, Koch Winery
2. Tamás Dúzsi, Winemaker from Szekszárd
3. Bálint Dámosy, Co-Owner, Opera Gin Budapest
4. Anett Varró-Turóczi, Co-owner of VARROS & Co Champagne & Fine Wine
5. Gergely Makai, General Director & Chief Winemaker, Tokaj-Hétszőlő Organic Vineyards

6. Declan O'Callaghan, Owner, Becketts Irish Bar In Budapest
7. Ádám Ludányi, Owner, Ludányi Wine Cellar in Hungary
8. Dez O'Connell, Bar & Spirits Consultant
9. Florentin Mochet, Co-Founder, Le Troquet French Wine Bar in Budapest
10. Gustavo Dominguez, Wine Maker, Koch Winery Hungary
+ see here for more.

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VI. EXPAT PERSONALITIES

1. Marion Merrick, Author, Editor, Teacher
2. Peter Grundberg, Co-Founder, Brody Land
3. Adam Goodman, Producer, Mid Atlantic Films
4. Mihaela Tom, Floral Designer, Founder & Owner of flowerMe Budapest
5. Mark Higgie, Spectator Correspondent & Think-Tanker

6. Revd. Aaron Stevens, Minister, St. Columba’s Church Budapest
7. Revd. John Wilson, Saint Margaret's Anglican Episcopal Church Budapest
8. Anikó Woods, Chief Marketing Officer, Animative Group
9. Armin Salimi, Captain of Inter Budapest Football Club
10. Antoni Bohdanowicz, Manager, Budapest Exiles Rugby Football Club

11. Esther Holbrook, Writer, Actress & Voice Artist
12. Annabel Barber, Editorial Director, Blue Guides
13. Ken White, Director, Clarke & White Real Estate
14. Oksana Devochkina, Artist, Painter
15. Damien O’Kane, President, Irish Hungarian Business Circle
+ see here for more.

+ Notable Local Personalities

1. Mark Bubno, Musician & Arborist
2. Milan Kelecsenyi, Tailoring Specialist
3. Márton Galambos, Editor-in-chief, Forbes Hungary
4. Krisztián Fábián, President, Budapest Titans American Football Club
5. Dr. János Kóka, Entrepreneur - Former Minister of Economy & Transport

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VII. "SURPRISING EXPATS"

1. Laura Medcalf, Visual Artist
2. Ian Davies, Environmentalist
3. Caroline Bodóczky, Expat for 55 Years in Hungary
4. Hiroko Ishimoto, Pianist & Feminist
5. Mark Rimmell, Film-Set Decorator, Crown Maker

6. Liz Sweales, Dancer, Founder Of Love Dance
7. Anni Kallioniemi, Cellist, Social Media Manager for Artists
8. Neil Wolstenholme, Ceramicist
9. James Carcass, Glassblower, Wood Carver
10. Faye Bradbrook, Actress, Dancer, Director, Teacher

11. Kate Pinches, Dog Breeder & Crufts Judge
12. Tina Tomulić, Director, Producer & Founder of MIND RESET Theatre
13. Matthew Hayes, Organic Farmer, Owner of Zsámboki Biokert
14. Hiroko Ishimoto, Pianist & Feminist
15. Anna Bentley, Literary Translator
+ see here for more.


If you would like to be interviewed as part of the "Surprising Expats" series on XpatLoop.com please email a few details about 'what makes you special' to Marion by clicking here.

In case you would like to do a standard Xpat Interview click here to email us or follow this link.