By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Roland Hesse, Managing Director, Allianz Partners, Ireland
Roland Hesse is Managing Director and Company Secretary at Allianz Partners. He has held this position since 2015, having previously spent over 20 years with Mondial Assistance Ireland in various roles, including Head of Operations, Support and Development. Roland has a Master of Business and Science degree in Business Practice, Business Administration and Management from the Irish Management Institute.
What was your first job?
My first real job was as an assistance breakdown coordinator (33 years ago in the same company).
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I always cared about helping people and making an impact and this career allows you to do that as you assist customers in difficult situations as they are often stranded and in need of assistance.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
I managed to start with the company as a breakdown assistance coordinator and worked myself up to the position of managing director with hard work and determination.
Career wise, would you do anything differently?
Throughout my career I had various roles and whilst it was challenging, I was able to obtain knowledge and skills which made me the person I am now. I would not change anything.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
I believe success is defined by my achievements and the ability to build a successful team, overcome adversity and challenges.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Always be kind. Treat people the way you would like to be treated.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
Acknowledge your team’s strengths and recognise their efforts as well as the results achieved. Build a connection and understand more about your team’s successes and challenges, both at work and at home. Most importantly, keep calm and be self-aware.
How do you handle adversity?
Firstly, you must identify the adversity and its causes. You then identify strengths you can use to address these challenges. You need to select a strategy to overcome the adversity and then evaluate the success of the strategy you have applied.
How do you relax?
I relax by listening to music and socialising.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
I would like to build on the success and further grow the business, look into blue oceans and further develop our great relationships.
