Olivier Kerckhove Joins Panda as New Managing Director
Panda International is proud to announce the appointment of Olivier Kerckhove as the new Managing Director to drive growth and innovation. With over 20 years of experience in life sciences recruitment, Olivier brings a wealth of industry expertise, strategic insight, and a people-first leadership approach.
In this interview, we will hear from our Directors on what this strategic move means and hear from Olivier about his vision, leadership philosophy, and plans for driving Panda’s continued success.
Background and Driving Growth Through Strategic Leadership
First Impressions & Joining Panda
What was your first impression of Panda, and has anything surprised you since joining?
"I’ve known Panda since its early days, as they were a key competitor when I was running the Life Sciences business for SThree in Benelux and France. Back then, they were relentless competitors who gave us plenty of headaches because of their determination and effectiveness.
When we reconnected this summer, I was impressed by the transparency and ambition of Jay and Daisy, Panda's founders. Over the last 12 years, they’ve built a highly successful operation with a strong market presence."
Vision & Priorities
What are your top priorities in this role?
There are three core priorities: People, Growth, and Clients.
- People: Panda has a track record of nurturing talented consultants into senior management roles. My ambition is to build a strong leadership team of future directors and C-Suite executives who can eventually take over from me, Daisy, and Jay.
- Growth: Panda is already a top life sciences recruitment and consultancy provider in the Netherlands. My goal is to replicate this success in Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany.
- Clients: We will double down on customer success by fostering deeper partnerships and offering innovative solutions that align with our client’s evolving human capital strategies.
Career Foundations & Leadership Style
What experiences have best prepared you for this role?
"While I could point to 20 years of industry experience across various businesses, I believe adaptability is the most critical factor. The industry evolves quickly, so it’s essential to stay dynamic, energetic, and open-minded. My goal is to bring energy, positivity, and client-centric thinking to Panda every day."
How would you describe your leadership style?
"My style focuses on energy and positivity while keeping things simple. Recruitment is a people-driven business, so creating a supportive and engaging work environment is essential. If the team feels motivated and valued, it translates directly into exceptional client service."
Empowering Talent & Driving Industry Impact
How do you plan to empower Panda's team members to grow?
"Panda’s future success relies on developing and retaining talent. Jay and Daisy have already laid a solid foundation by introducing a Stock Option Programme accessible to Senior Consultants and above—a clear commitment to sharing Panda’s success with loyal and hardworking team members."
How will technology and AI impact recruitment, and how can Panda leverage it?
"AI offers valuable tools for the recruitment industry, but it can’t replace the creativity and human touch of recruiters. Panda will invest in AI-powered tools to enhance consultant efficiency, allowing them to focus on relationship-building and connecting people—the core of what we do best."
A Message from Panda’s Founders, Jay & Daisy
Since the start of Panda, Jay Freeman and Daisy Tazelaar have driven Panda with a passion to be the most trusted partner in elevating Life Sciences with talent while building a culture of excellence. As they welcome Olivier into the Managing Director role, they reflect on why this milestone is such a pivotal moment in Panda’s growth journey:
"It gives us great pleasure to welcome Oli Kerckhove as Panda’s new Managing Director! From the moment we started working with Oli, it was clear he’s exactly what Panda needs to help drive us into this next exciting phase of growth. With his incredible track record in recruitment and leadership—and his ability to balance charisma with serious know-how - Oli has already hit the ground running.
Oli really gets Panda. He shares our belief that great relationships and solid recruitment practices are the foundation for success for our clients, our candidates, and, most importantly, our Panda team. The energy he brings to the role is contagious, and the team has embraced him from day one.
His appointment as Managing Director is a massive milestone for Panda. Not only does it give our recruitment teams a dedicated leader 100% focused on performance and growth, but he also works closely with us on shaping and driving the company’s strategic growth initiatives. He’s a great sparring partner, bringing fresh ideas, sharp insights, and a hands-on approach to everything he does.
With Oli at the heart of the recruitment operations, helping to shape our future, and the company recently recognised as one of the Netherlands’ top 250 fastest-growing businesses, we’ve never been better positioned for exponential growth. It’s a hugely exciting time to be part of Panda, and we're confident Oli will play a big part in taking us to the next level. Welcome aboard, Oli - the future is ours!"
Looking Ahead: Panda’s Future
What new initiatives are you excited about?
"We’re focused on international expansion, with a strategic push into Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany. Internally, I’m excited about our technology improvement programme. By 2025, we’ll invest in AI-powered tools to drive customer success and enhance data insights to strengthen business decisions."
What opportunities do you see for expanding Panda’s services?
"Panda is already recognised for its exceptional contract and freelance recruitment services in the Netherlands. I see significant potential in replicating this success across new markets while continuing to develop innovative service models that meet clients’ emerging needs."
With a people-first mindset, a clear growth strategy, and a passion for fostering success, Olivier Kerckhove is set to lead Panda into its next growth phase. Stay tuned as Panda continues shaping the future of life sciences recruitment!