Zoltán Borbély, Managing Director, Schiller Fleet & Rent A Car

  • 12 Apr 2021 1:50 PM
Zoltán Borbély, Managing Director, Schiller Fleet & Rent A Car
Zoltán is an experienced and team-focused leader, passionate about creating CSR friendly, healthy organizations that are both successful and sustainable over long periods of time.

Having spent over 15 years in the leasing, fleet management and automotive industries, he is a leader who can inspire and engage.

His experience extends to several companies in Hungary, from Sykes Central Europe, Lease Plan Hungary, to ALD Automotive.  Zoltán has been Managing Director at Schiller Fleet since 2019 and a member of the Hungarian Association of Executives since 2016, where he was also invited to join the Executive Board in 2021.

In addition, he has been involved with several professional organizations like the Hungarian Leasing Association since 2010 and the Presidency at the Hungarian Rent a Car Association since 2019.

Zoltán is determined to help future generations and leaders to achieve their goals. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and is a keen traveller.

 

1. Where did you grow up?

I have always considered ourselves a countryside family. Most of my childhood I lived in the outskirts of Szigetszentmiklós on Csepel Island, which is the largest island on the Danube. This is the reason why nature means a lot to me. On the other hand, I was lucky enough to have a big family, so I can recall lots of cheerful family gatherings. Those were happy times.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Well, if I had to pick from Europe I guess Spain and Ireland would be the most likely destinations, but if we are talking about the whole world, then on the Northern Hemisphere I would probably go for Canada and on the Southern Hemisphere New-Zealand or Australia would definitely be on the list.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

I love the countryside. I spent a part of my childhood there, so I guess that is one of the things I would miss. I would definitely miss my friends too, my family and my business partners.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

First, they should try to spend here more than a weekend! Gellért Hill, Heroes’ Square and Margaret Island are a must-see. We are lucky that our historical centre is within walking distance and we have brilliant views from the banks of the river Danube.

5. What is your favourite food?

I am really addicted to fruit. Fresh pineapple, mango or papaya are at the top of my list, but as the saying goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” so you can always find an apple in my kitchen.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

I am not really sporty, but running and swimming are the most relaxing sport activities for me. I go for a run every day and thanks to the pandemic I have managed to get up to around 10 km, which is a real milestone for me.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

I was born in August, so I am a summer boy and my favourite places are definitely around a lake or a river. My favourite city is the always-sunny Szeged, and I also really like the area of the Káli basin, Vászoly and Dörgicse, which is very quiet with amazing views of Lake Balaton. You should definitely visit that area, I truly recommend it!

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I would love to work in the fields of nature protection, human rights or justice in general, for example, in a court as a judge because it would be rewarding to contribute to society in some ways. I would be happy if I could find a way to make the world a better place for future generations.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?

Emotionally demanding professions are not my thing really. In other words, I wouldn’t be able to cope with jobs like that of doctors and medical staff.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

Wow, it has been quite a while… in 2019 before the pandemic we went to Dublin for a week or so and we also explored Ireland.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

I have never been to Canada, so it is likely to be our next destination. Actually, this was the plan for last summer, but COVID-19 ruined it all. I really hope that we will be able to go on this trip one day. I love driving around and getting to know new countries.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Hmm… I used to be a keen radio listener. My family, especially my mother loves music, so we always listened to the radio. We couldn’t afford to go to the cinema, so some of the first movies I managed to watch were Bedazzled and Titanic, which is really funny if I think about it now.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

You can always try to bribe be with some fruit, but just like everyone else in my family I have a sweet tooth, so cakes and chocolates are also something I can’t resist.

14. Red wine or white?

I always find special occasions to drink wine with my friends. Depending on my mood and the company it can be white, red or rosé. Most of my friends have a really good taste when it comes to wine, so I just follow their guidance.

15. Book or movie?

Both. Nowadays I tend to watch movies and series more frequently. Frankly, in the last 5 years I managed to watch more movies than in the first 30 years of my life. As for reading, sometimes I need to be alone with my thoughts and books can help me unwind and distract my attention from daily problems.

16. Morning person or night person?

I can see why some people find nights fun, I used to be that guy. Nowadays I actually prefer early mornings in summer and late nights in winter, who knows why…

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Nowadays the COVID pandemic is the most worrying phenomenon, I strongly believe in science and research. I am actually a passionate volunteer at Vodafone Foundation and I have been a virtual cancer researcher since 2018. I recommend to all readers to download the DreamLab application.

18. Buda or Pest side?

Always the middle, so Margaret Island is the best place from where you can easily reach both Buda and Pest whenever you want. Both parts of the city have their unique atmosphere.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

Well, this question is probably the most challenging one. I am really committed to achieving something special in every decade of my life. I am in my late thirties now, so I guess I can highlight 4 specific projects. I believe in phrases like “Impact now”, and I have tried to get involved in a range of activities over the years.

Firstly, when it comes to nature, I am really proud of managing the Offsetting Program which was introduced in 2011 at ALD with László Gálhidy and WWF Hungary and the forest we planted within the framework of this program has reached over 8 hectares nowadays and the program is still ongoing. 

Secondly, in the field of health, I am proud of having managed to involve my colleagues in a charity run in 2015 in Germany and out of my colleagues, Linda Boros has become an ultra-marathon runner.

Thirdly, as for education, I am pleased to have had the chance to set up and take part in the Mentoring Program for Future Leaders as a Mentor and Professional Leader in the Hungarian Association of Executives.

Last but not least last summer, in cooperation with Bence Molnár who is a 14-year-old boy, I had the pleasure to be sponsor of a in the programme which aimed at helping households with autistic children in Kozármisleny in cooperation with the Autistic Art Foundation.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

My personal motto apart from “Never give up!” is a quote by Dr. Szent-Györgyi Albert: “Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”

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