Every newsletter, we introduce someone from the team so that you can get to know the people behind Heart Relocation a little better. One of the few people we have never really needed to introduce is Miriam van Kempen, simply because she is already so well known across the Global Mobility industry.

Miriam has earned her place as one of those people that seemingly everyone in Global Mobility knows. Which makes it even harder to write that I was also the person who had to accept her resignation from Heart Relocation and, for now at least, from the Global Mobility world.

I first got to know Miriam when she was at a different company. She was the Account Manager for the company I worked for at the time, and what I remember most was how open she was to feedback, even when I challenged her. Later, she also took me along on the journey when she decided to leave that company and join Heart Relocation. Moving from a more established organisation to a much more agile business must have been quite a change.

But Miriam found her place at Heart Relocation and made a real mark on the business.

She has been an incredible force behind Heart Relocation. I have always been amazed by how many people she knows, both within and outside our industry. Her energy, optimism and ability to come up with creative, sometimes very out-of-the-box solutions have made her hugely valuable to Heart Relocation.

I genuinely believe Heart Relocation would not be as well known today without the energy Miriam has put into making sure people see the work the Heart Relocation team is doing. Throughout her six years here, she has always kept the original dream and purpose behind Heart Relocation at the forefront, and she has continued to believe strongly in what Rob and Anna set out to build.

What I will remember most, though, is the person behind all of that.

Miriam can certainly be direct and, at times, strict, but she is also incredibly warm and caring. She often jokes that everyone comes to her with their problems, and I have experienced that myself. I only needed to mention a challenge I was facing and somehow, through her network, knowledge and willingness to help, she would find that one person or solution that felt like the needle in the haystack.

I have taken the honour of writing the bigger part of this farewell, but I was certainly not the only one who wanted to say something. A few of Miriam’s colleagues also wanted to share their own memories and thoughts.

 

Anna:

“Miriam is one of a kind, with energy levels you do not see every day. One of my memories is her riding on Antony’s hoverboard extension in our garden back in July 2020, with no helmet and going at somewhat of a speed…”

 

Rob:

“I have watched Miriam grow exponentially as a person, from someone somewhat shy(ish) and not very confident into someone who can now command a room.

I have so many memories: piggybacks after the EMMAs, with Miriam getting a piggyback from Dom and it nearly ending in disaster; when she turned up to the first post-Covid FEM event in London and literally everyone I met said they had expected a much taller person; creating Relocate the Profit and wondering whether we could get one or two companies to join us; Premier Inns, riding the Tube, getting lost and then eventually becoming a maestro!”

 

Ricky:

“Throughout my time in Global Mobility, I have had the pleasure of working with and meeting many wonderful people across the industry.

However, no one embodies the passion, commitment, empathy and kindness needed to navigate this business quite like Miriam. I will miss her not only as a colleague, but also as someone who always looked out for me and was willing to help in any way she could, as any true friend would do.

While her departure is undoubtedly a loss for Heart Relocation, I have no doubt that she will remain firmly in our memories because of the impact she has had and all that she has accomplished. Her dedication to both her colleagues and clients has left a lasting impression on so many of us.”

 

Kai:

“It is not one specific memory, but Miriam was incredibly welcoming and helped me a lot when I first joined. Not just internally, but also by going out of her way to connect me with experienced people in the industry, making sure I had guidance from people who had once been in my shoes.”

 

Monica:

“Miriam is one of those rare people who is equal parts warmth, fun and hard work. She makes you laugh on the hardest days, she works harder than almost anyone I know, and she is the person I go to when I need an honest answer – no sugarcoating, just real talk delivered with real care. It has been a genuine privilege working alongside her.”

 

Tanya:

“I have really enjoyed working with Miriam and will miss having her as part of the team. She has always been incredibly supportive, approachable and positive, and her willingness to help others has been great. It has been a pleasure getting to know her in my short time here, and I wish her every success and happiness in her next chapter.”

 

Rebecca:

“It has been so lovely working with Miriam, albeit from afar! She is not only hilarious and ridiculously quick-witted, but has the intelligence and kindness to match. She always has something lovely, and usually very funny, to say to me, and she is definitely one of those people whose personality makes such a difference.

You will be a huge character to miss, Miriam, and I will definitely miss the regular cat updates too! 😂 Wishing you all the very best for your next chapter ❤️”

So, Miriam, thank you for everything you have done for Heart Relocation, for the people around you and for the wider Global Mobility community. You will be very much missed.

At the same time, growth also means knowing when it is time to let go of something familiar and try something completely new. I hope the bathwater on the other side is just as warm.

We wish you every success and happiness in your next chapter.