The 2017 Global Leaders in Consulting: Jan Vrins

With more than 25 years of energy consulting experience, and energy industry leadership roles across North America, South America, and the Middle East, Jan Vrins is working to enable energy transformation for clients around the world.

With a history of growing businesses in diverse, international markets, and as the leader of Navigant's Global Energy practice, he oversees more than 600 management consultants throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Since 2014, he's guided a growing team—more than 28 percent year over year—to develop thought leadership, solution offerings and capabilities that support clients in a variety of geographies.

Over the last 12 months, Vrins says he is most proud of growing Navigant's global footprint through the acquisition of Ecofys, a leading European energy and sustainability firm, and the bridging of cultures that's resulted among the now 600-plus consultants globally.

"I am also proud of my entire team that is at the forefront of the energy transition. As a team, we are passionate about the impact that we have—we are working with our clients to create a more sustainable industry and world for ourselves and generations to come," Vrins says. "Every day, I am impressed with how my team helps our clients develop new strategies and business models, product and services, and implement new organization structures, processes, and sustainable solutions. They are providing high value to our clients through updated solution offerings that speak to the current market challenges and opportunities."

Vrins says he has the privilege of working with some of the brightest consultants in the world to solve clients' most challenging issues. In addition, the Navigant team is producing industry-leading thought leadership that chronicles the changes occurring in the energy and utilities industry and provides the best strategies for how clients should respond.

And the energy sector is a dynamic place to be right now, Vrins says.

"Working with the major stakeholders in the energy industry allows me to learn every day and to discuss pathways forward as we embark on a challenging energy industry transformation," he says.

As far as being recognized as a Global Leader in Consulting, Vrins says "being recognized demonstrates our commitment to bringing the best of Navigant to our clients. It means our perspective and guidance on key issues affecting the energy industry has resonated with our clients and employees around the world, and that we continue to be looked to as a trusted advisor in a time of uncertainty of immense opportunity."

Q&A: What's been the biggest factor to your success?

Vrins: "My family. My first partner at KPMG Consulting told me that having a solid and stable home front is an absolute requirement to do the work we do. I have been extremely fortunate with family (my wife Vanessa and our sons Jayden and Dylan). They have always supported me and put up with my travel schedules and long, intense work weeks."