Haijo Kuper
About Haijo Kuper
Haijo Kuper serves as the Chief Operating Officer at M-KOPA, where he has worked since 2018. He has held various leadership roles in companies such as Unilever and DOB Equity, contributing to significant business growth and operational improvements.
Work at M-KOPA
Haijo Kuper has been serving as the Chief Operating Officer at M-KOPA since 2018. In this role, he has significantly contributed to the company's growth, quadrupling its business size within the first four years while maintaining healthy profit margins. Kuper also held the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer at M-KOPA from 2021 to 2022. He played a crucial role in setting up local assembly operations for mobile phones and TVs, adapting to changing duty regulations. His leadership has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of a multi-market operation, particularly in the Ugandan market.
Previous Experience
Before joining M-KOPA, Haijo Kuper held various positions at Unilever, including Customer Development Consultant - Global, Business Risk Manager in Zimbabwe, and Country Director for Bahrain & Oman. His tenure at Unilever spanned from 1999 to 2010, during which he also worked as a Financial Trainee, Supply Chain Project Manager for Europe, and Contract Manufacturing Manager for Europe. Additionally, Kuper served as the General Manager - Interim at Chloride Exide Limited in 2015 for nearly a year.
Education and Expertise
Haijo Kuper earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Systems Science from Wageningen University & Research, where he studied from 1993 to 1998. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Knox College, which he attended for a year in 1992-1993. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in operations management, risk management, and business development.
Board Membership and Governance
Kuper served as a Member of the Supervisory Board at DOB Equity from 2022 to 2023. He was also a Member of the Board of Trustees at Pembroke House School in Kenya from 2011 to 2016. His involvement in these governance roles reflects his commitment to organizational oversight and community engagement.
Achievements in Leadership
During his career, Haijo Kuper has implemented a matrix organization structure that achieved over 80% employee engagement scores. He collaborated with the General Counsel to create a risk-aware organization without increasing bureaucracy. His leadership strategies have been pivotal in driving organizational performance and employee satisfaction.