John – Finance Manager

The Story

Finding pride in DNV's purpose before day one

When John reflects on his journey with DNV, it didn't start on his first day as an employee. It began earlier, when he worked as an external tax consultant supporting the company.

"Even as an external consultant, I could sense something distinctive about DNV. People were open in how they worked together, and there was a shared belief in the value of what they were doing. That stayed with me," he says.

In 2018, that thought became reality when he joined DNV as Regional Tax Manager for North Asia.

Growing through collaboration

Stepping into the role, John brought strong local tax expertise, but quickly found himself working in a broader, more international environment.

He collaborated across borders and functions, working closely with colleagues in tax, finance and legal.

"What made it special was the team spirit, we didn't work in silos," he explains.

These early experiences helped him not only deliver results but also understand the value of collaboration, shared knowledge and contributing to work that matters.

Exploring new directions

As his career progressed, John stepped beyond tax into government affairs. This broadened his perspective and connected business with public policy.

Being appointed "Changing Business Environment Experience Officer" and later recognized as an "Excellent Legislative Information Officer" were important milestones.

"These moments made me reflect on how much I had grown, both professionally and personally," he says.

Stepping into leadership

In 2024, John took on a new challenge as Finance Manager for Greater China. For the first time, he moved fully into a leadership role.

It marked a shift in mindset, from delivering individual results to enabling others to succeed.

"Success is no longer just about what I deliver, but how I empower my team," he explains.

Today, he focuses on creating an environment where people feel trusted, supported and motivated to grow.

Creating impact through people and purpose

For John, building a strong team is about more than developing skills, it's about building confidence and encouraging a growth mindset. He is particularly passionate about preparing his team for the future, including increasing awareness of AI and new ways of working.

"I would describe my journey in DNV as meaningful. I'm guided by a clear purpose, I work with people who genuinely care, and I've been given the space to grow and become a better version of myself," he says. 

For John, pride in his work comes from contributing to something meaningful working alongside committed colleagues, and supporting his team to grow.