Over 75 years of collective operational experience is making way for a new generation. On 1 July 2026, long-serving shift leaders Huub van Hassel and Ron Hoogeveen officially retired. Their successors, Mitchell Lucas and Kevin van Dijk, have now taken the helm. This transition was far from sudden, it was a carefully planned, step-by-step process based on a structured transfer of knowledge, experience, and mutual trust.
These four colleagues’ journeys perfectly reflect what Liquin stands for: providing room to grow, bestowing trust, and encouraging ownership.
From operator to shift leader
For Huub, the adventure began in 1990. Following a career in inland shipping, he transitioned to the Botlek terminal, where he climbed the ranks through various operational roles to ultimately become a shift leader. “Through hands-on experience, a strong work ethic, continuous training, and actively applying for internal opportunities, I progressed step-by-step. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working here every single day.”
Ron’s journey started even earlier, in 1986, when he traded his role in the Royal Netherlands Navy for a position at Liquin (then operating under a different name). Like Huub, he worked in every operational role before taking on a leadership role. “I started as an operator and did every job in Operations and eventually became a shift leader.”
Following their retirement, both men are adjusting to a new pace of life. For Huub, the change feels somewhat surreal:
“As a shift leader, you are always ‘on’—even during your weekends off. You are constantly focused on your shift, your team, and terminal operations. Suddenly, that stops. No phone calls, no messages, no emails. It definitely takes some getting used to,” he says.
The next generation steps up
For Mitchell (34) and Kevin (36), the journey began nearly a decade ago when both joined the company as operators, actively seizing development opportunities along the way. Kevin joined Liquin with a clear career path in mind: “I knew early on which direction I wanted to take. Leadership really appealed to me. I first became a team leader, which led increasingly to covering for the shift leader. When the opportunity arose to step into the role on an interim basis, I didn’t hesitate,” he says. After a successful year as interim shift leader, Kevin formally applied for and secured the permanent position.
Mitchell, on the other hand, took a different route. He transitioned into a process controller role and initially had no ambitions to become a shift leader. “I thought the control room was the perfect fit for me. But once I joined Ron’s shift and saw the day-to-day dynamics of a shift leader, my perspective changed. What ultimately won me over was the combination of high autonomy and significant responsibility. You can truly guide your team, and achieving goals together is the most rewarding part of the job.”
Hands-on mentorship and practical learning
The transition to the new leadership did not begin just a few months prior to retirement; it was years in the making. “As a shift leader, you’re constantly mentoring your team,” Ron explains. “You actively look for those who show ambition, take initiative, and are ready for the next step.” Huub agrees: “It happens very naturally. You share knowledge in an organic way. You involve people in daily scenarios, ask what they would do, and explain the business logic behind your decisions.”
Mitchell experienced this practical approach first hand: “I rarely sat down with Huub for formal lessons. Instead, you learn in real time on the job. When an issue arises, they ask, ‘What would you do?’ We then discuss why we would—or wouldn’t—choose a specific solution. Understanding the why behind a decision is where the real learning happens,” he says.
Trust is earned and given
According to Mitchell and Kevin, Liquin offers ample career progression, but it requires personal initiative. “The opportunities are vast,” Mitchell says, “but you have to show that you want them. If you take initiative or propose an improvement, you’re given the space to run with it.” That’s been Kevin’s experience too: “From the moment I started, I received active coaching, structured training, and progressive responsibilities. From there, it’s up to you to chart your own course.” Both men feel that trust.
“When the company lets you fill in for a shift leader, it sends a powerful message of confidence that’s highly motivating,” says Mitchell.
No two days are alike
The shift leader role is highly dynamic, which keeps the work engaging. For Kevin, the highlight is guiding his team toward collective success while driving operational excellence:
“I enjoy providing guidance and coaching where needed. Additionally, I look critically at our operational processes: how can we work smarter, and where can we optimise? That’s what makes this role so interesting.”
Mitchell echoes this sentiment: “Aligning with a direction and seeing the team work together to achieve a goal brings immense professional satisfaction.”
The art of letting go
For Huub and Ron, watching Mitchell and Kevin step up independently has been incredibly rewarding. They emphasise that making mistakes is a natural part of professional growth.
“Everyone makes mistakes,” Ron notes. “The key is to learn from them within safe operational boundaries. It’s always better to make a decision that needs adjusting later rather than make no decision at all.”
Huub is pleased to see his successors develop their own leadership styles:
“That’s exactly how it should be. We don’t need a second Huub or Ron; we need a Mitchell and a Kevin.”
Continuous growth
Reflecting on their respective tenures, all four professionals agree on one core principle: at Liquin, opportunities are abundant, but you must seize them yourself. For Huub and Ron, this mindset paved the way for a long career moving from hands-on operations to senior shift leadership. For Mitchell and Kevin, it represents a new chapter of leadership and continuous development.
As Mitchell concludes: “Virtually anything is possible here. If you show that you want to grow and are willing to put in the work, the opportunities are limitless.”
This successful transition brings the journey full circle. Two seasoned professionals have confidently passed the baton to two rising leaders—not merely as a procedural necessity, but because sharing knowledge, fostering talent, and realising ambitions are deeply embedded in Liquin’s corporate culture.
