About Simon
Fresh Thoughts, that’s me
I’m curious, optimistic and driven. Humor and playfulness are essential to me, and my drive to grow and learn is a lifelong passion.
My friends say Fresh Thoughts is a name that suits me perfectly. I think they’re right. And in every program, we look for fresh thoughts together.
“Yes I would recommend, because as the name suggests, “Fresh thoughts” is what you get.”
I know the corporate game from the inside
I grew up in a warm, entrepreneurial family where self-reliance was the norm. After that I spent more than 25 years in the financial sector, from trainee to Managing Director, in investment banking, wholesale banking and financial markets.
I look back on those years with a lot of pleasure, and I would do it all again. You learn an enormous amount, you work with smart people and interesting clients, and always with an international outlook. I saw hundreds of companies and business models from the inside. And I learned how the game is played in a large organization: how to build support, when to speak up and when not to.
I also lived abroad, traveled a lot for business and did business with people all over the world. As a manager, I had international colleagues in my teams. So I know from experience what it’s like to work across cultures.
In 1999 I trained as a mentor. Since then I have supported hundreds of colleagues in their career steps. That has always inspired me most.
That’s why I understand what you may run into in your organization.
“You have context experience that is very relevant to me, and you have lived through ups and downs as a person. You feel and recognize emotions, you offer practical tools and you have a really nice balance of humor and seriousness.”
From mentor to coach
I wanted to do more with that. While still at the bank, I kept developing myself: in 2018 I became an NLP coach, and more training followed. At Rabobank I was already active as a coach in the internal coaching network.
These courses also meant a lot to me personally. With my quick mind, I mostly lived in my head. Offering comfort and showing compassion didn’t come easily to me. I discovered that my head wasn’t my only ‘self’, and I learned to develop my softer side as well.
At 53 I made a choice: I wanted to focus fully on what gives me the most energy. Being of value to people who are at a crossroads, or who really want something but don’t yet know how. In 2021 I left the bank and founded Fresh Thoughts.
Effective and goal-oriented, with a softer side. Because that’s who I am too.
So I know from my own experience what it’s like to set a new course.
Head, heart and body
For me, banking and coaching are not opposites. What I learned in the financial sector, I use in my work as a coach. And through my training I gained insight into my own drives, patterns and beliefs. That helps me stay connected with myself, and connect with others.
With my experience and training, I’m the coach I would have liked to have myself: business sharpness and personal depth in one.
A positive approach
I believe in positive psychology: a can-do mentality, and approaching work, and indeed life, with a positive outlook. Not only because more becomes possible, but also because the journey is a lot more enjoyable.
Training and certifications
- Member of NOBCO
- Coaching program ICM, NLP coach (2018/2019)
- Professional communication from head, heart and body, one-year program at Raafwerk (2020/2021)
- Body-oriented coaching and systemic work, Raafwerk (2022)
- Drives scan (Into Drives)
- Mentoring Development Workshop (1999)
- Assessor training, Role Rotation and Assessment Simulation (2000)
- Leadership programs at London Business School, HEC Paris and Erasmus University (2012–2018)
- Effective Personal Communication, De Baak (2005/2006)
- Training courses at Schouten & Nelissen
- LinkedIn and AI in career coaching
“I’ve started looking at my own processes more positively. I see things more as a journey, which makes them feel lighter. Thanks to the examples we discussed, I’ve become more cheerful in my work.”
Are we a good match?
I’m the right coach for you if you
- are curious about your own behavior and want to work on it
- want to become more effective, in what you say, how you say it and when
- are ambitious to move forward, in your work or in your life
- want to take ownership: looking at your own contribution, without right or wrong
I’m not the right coach for you if
- you mainly want other people to change
- you were sent by your manager and don’t see the point yourself
- you have a specific question about, for example, high sensitivity, autism or recovering from burnout. A specialized coach will be a better fit for you.
That’s why in our first conversation we always look at it together: is there a click, and am I the right coach for you? Choosing a coach is not something you do often, so it should feel right.
“He is both empathetic but able to tell the truth when needed. He helped me make the right choice at a key moment.”
Outside of work
Marie-Josée and I have three grown-up children. I sing and play in a band, and I perform solo in care homes.
“I want to use what I enjoy and what I’m good at to be of value to others.”
Let’s get to know each other
Schedule a free online intro call, with no obligation. It’s often possible at short notice. After that, we can quickly plan the first session, in Utrecht near Central Station or at another location.