Meet Christiaan: Bringing Fresh Perspectives to Unified International
A month ago, Christiaan Huizenga joined our team as a junior consultant, bringing with him a sharp strategic mind, a passion for simplifying complexity and hands-on experience in the defence and aerospace domain. His background in multidisciplinary research and his drive to create real-world impact make him a perfect fit for our mission: delivering smart, practical solutions where they matter most.
We asked Christiaan a few questions to find out more about his background, his ambitions and what drives him in his work.
What attracted you to Unified International and why did you decide to join?
During my graduation research at 7 Squadron at De Kooy Air Base, I conducted a multidisciplinary study into helicopter operations involving the NH90, focusing on both training content and operational deployment. This required a combination of operational, tactical and strategic insights. The results of my research contributed concretely to the safety and readiness of helicopter operations within the Royal Netherlands Navy.
What attracted me to Unified International was the combination of strategic advisory, technological expertise and a strong focus on the defence and aerospace sectors, a direct match with my background and interests.
Which lessons-learned do you bring from your previous experience and how will you apply them in your new role?
“Keep it stupid and simple.” Ensure that things are not made unnecessarily complicated or overly ‘fancy’. I believe that clients also appreciate clearly defined projects with explicit objectives and deliverables. This approach ensures that clients receive tangible and actionable results they can immediately work with. In my new role, I aim to continue this approach by breaking down complex issues to their core, without losing depth or content. Clear communication and good expectation management are essential to building trust and support, both within the project team and with the client.
What gives you energy at work?
I love creating something out of nothing. I believe Unified International provides excellent opportunities for this, considering the diversity of clients and project backgrounds. Every assignment presents a new opportunity to create something valuable, together with a team that operates at both strategic and operational levels.
Which themes or issues within defence do you find most interesting?
Although I don’t have a technical background, I find technological innovations, such as drones, weapon systems and other advanced instruments, highly fascinating. I am especially interested in the industry behind these innovations, which includes many of our clients.
What do you hope to learn and contribute at Unified?
At Unified, I hope to further develop myself in various areas, with a particular focus on project management. I want to learn from more experienced colleagues, especially their domain expertise within sectors like defence. What I appreciate about working at Unified is the constant challenge of balancing sector knowledge, market insights and current geopolitical developments within each project. Combining and aligning these elements to meet client needs makes the work exceptionally interesting and valuable to me.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
I am naturally a perfectionist, which translates into a strong focus on quality and attention to detail. This is a strength, but it can also be a pitfall, especially in a dynamic consultancy environment where structure and predictability are not always guaranteed due to the fast pace of projects and tight deadlines. I highly value order and clarity, but I also recognise that flexibility is crucial. I therefore appreciate colleagues who help keep me sharp and support me where needed, allowing us to adapt effectively to the dynamics of our work.
What unique qualities do you bring to the team and, more importantly, to our clients?
I bring a fresh and critical perspective, always working in a goal-oriented manner. I am not afraid to voice my opinion and challenge existing processes and methods, always with the intention of improving them.
Moreover, I excel at making connections across domains: linking domain knowledge, current developments and project objectives. This enables me to approach complex issues from multiple angles and develop well-founded, future-proof solutions, for both the team and our clients. Lastly, I believe a healthy dose of humour is vital for any collaboration. While I won’t claim to be genuinely funny, I do believe that humour and the ability to put things into perspective act as essential lubricant oil, particularly when the pressure is on.
Want to learn more about Christiaan
https://unifiedinternational.net/christiaan-huizenga/
