Jesper’s First 100 Days at Friday
Jesper van der Harst recently completed his first 100 days at Friday & Co. Shipbrokers after earning a spot on the team during Friday’s Fishing Expedition recruitment day. Here, he shares the highs of his first few months.
Into the Deep
Having been put to the test at the intense Fishing Expedition, Jesper stood out as a rising talent, one that would fit the vibe of Friday.
“I was thrilled to be offered a broker position here. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It’s a small team of about nine people, and everyone seemed really nice, but I wondered, what if that wasn’t the case? What if we didn’t all get along? But I have to say, this doesn’t really feel like work. I enjoy every part of the job. Well, maybe everything except sorting through the email enquiries inbox!”
For onboarding, Jesper was thrown into the deep end. While he initially wanted to skip straight to the endpoint, he quickly realised that learning comes from making mistakes.
“Rod and the team gave us the freedom to try things out. You don’t get that in just any brokerage firm. We had weekly assignments where we searched for vessels or potential buyers, collaborated with other brokers, and presented different ship types. It was a great way to learn on our feet and absorb knowledge from the team.”
Offshore Opportunities
Jesper’s focus is on the offshore market, an area where he has both experience and passion. Growing up attending offshore vessel launches, he has always felt a strong connection to this sector. Recently, he attended OSJ in London for the first time as a broker.
“I felt like a small fish in a big pond, and I loved it! Compared to when I attended the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference back in November, I now have
much more knowledge and insight to share. As a broker, you don’t want to be that mosquito that people try to avoid. You’re constantly listening, building your network, and events like these are the perfect place to do that.”
Highlight So Far
When asked about his highlight so far, Jesper’s enthusiasm was genuine. “Every day here is a highlight. Honestly, the biggest highlight was just getting the job! I know that sounds corny, and I’m trying to think of a better answer, but it’s the truth.
One of the highlights of the job is finding a suitable vessel for the client and advising them on every step of the purchasing or selling process. With a few negotiations already under my belt, I’m finding that it’s great fun and actually quite addictive!”
What’s Next?
The next big milestone? “Selling my first ship! I’ve come close a couple of times, nearly got a tugboat over the line. They say in this business that you’re as strong as your co-broker. I’m learning to be that strong broker on the other line.”
Three Words
The first three words that come to Jesper’s mind to describe the last few months?
Fun. Exciting. Doesn’t feel like work.
Jesper van der Harst
S&P Broker