Maarten Geeraerts, CEO of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group, delves into the strategic initiatives driving the company’s success. He discusses recent operational changes, including the introduction of two new business units, while sharing his vision for fostering innovation and a thriving work environment.
Can you discuss a recent change that has made an impact on your operations, the larger industry, or your customers?
Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group is a widely diversified conglomerate. Ensuring a well-balanced portfolio of businesses with an intentional asset & capital allocation strategy is a key driver of our success. Recently, we enhanced our operations by introducing two new Strategic Business Units, Kanoo Global Investments and Kanoo Ventures. This not only optimized efficiency and focus within each segment, but also allowed us to pursue opportunities proactively in both regional and global markets.
Kanoo Global Investments is dedicated to identifying and managing high-value investments across all asset classes globally, ensuring sustainable growth and strong long-term risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders. Meanwhile, Kanoo Ventures focuses on fostering innovation by supporting growth and early-stage companies focusing on new technologies and creating strategic joint venture partnerships that align with our vision of the future.
Similarly, the Kanoo Real Estate division’s renewed mandate to drive innovative developments across the region is beginning to solidify our presence and position us as a key player in the real estate market. Last but not least, our operational units such as Industrial and Energy and Shipping and Logistics have taken significant steps towards making an impact in the renewable energy space and the booming logistics sector in the region.
What were the biggest lessons learned while implementing this change?
The importance of setting a clear direction, communicating this direction and then above all trusting competent and driven business leaders to execute each key deliverable with a large degree of autonomy cannot be overstated.
How do you foster a successful work environment?
Creating a thriving work environment requires a balance of empowerment, support, and recognition. We encourage open dialogue, where every team member’s voice is valued. Continuous professional development is a priority for us. Investing in the growth of our people delivers the best Return on Investment.
We strive to maintain a culture of respect, collaboration, and integrity and have worked hard to align and augment our incentive structures with our goals as a Group. I believe in celebrating individual success as well as collective accomplishments, as this fosters a sense of belonging and motivates people to perform at their best.
What inspired you to enter this particular industry?
For me, working within a highly reputable family-owned business with a diversified and professionally run portfolio of companies which is always evolving offers the best of all worlds. With over 134 years of contributing to local economies, YBA Kanoo has consistently embodied corporate social responsibility, integrating it into our core values long before it became a popular term in business circles. This family construct blended with the highly professional nature of our teams across our Strategic Business Units constantly pushes my intellectual curiosity and emotional engagement.
In hindsight, is there anything you wish to have done differently in your career or as a leader?
If I could go back, I would have prioritized mentorship even earlier in my career. While I have always believed in developing others, I now recognize the tremendous value of nurturing future leaders from the outset and with intent.
What is your strategy to manage stress and avoid burnout?
My approach to managing stress is rooted in maintaining balance. Taking time for personal reflection is essential to staying grounded. I believe in the power of delegation and trust in my team to manage their responsibilities effectively.
Building effective teams is immensely rewarding, and fostering a work environment where individuals feel comfortable to express differing views and engage in constructive challenges is key to minimizing unnecessary stress.
