Frits van Gansewinkel

Product Manager in Greater London, UK

Frits van Gansewinkel

Product Manager in Greater London, UK

Greetings!

I'm Frits, a Product Manager with a rich professional history that commenced in project management across dynamic organisations like Nike, Metapack, and Masabi.

After years of leading projects, I craved a change, seizing the opportunity to transition into product management while at Metapack. Starting as a product owner and evolving through roles in product operations and product marketing, I became a Product Manager there, spearheading my own product. What's fascinating about both project and product roles is their fundamentally people-centric nature — forging relationships, discerning what propels or hinders individuals and collaboratively navigating challenges.

A pivotal "aha" moment was realising that, unlike projects, as a Product Manager, you never "hand over" a product; your impact spans from ideation through launch to sunsetting a product or feature. This revelation redirected my learning trajectory towards a holistic approach that aligns seamlessly with my commitment to making things better for people.

Beyond my professional activities, I've dedicated a decade to volunteering as a tour guide at the Royal Air Force Museum in London, crafting bespoke tours that not only explore historical context but also link back to the present. This experience honed my ability to understand diverse perspectives, a skill seamlessly transferrable to my role as a Product Manager. In parallel, I've successfully operated a business, importing and selling goods across marketplaces in the UK, Europe, and the US. This entrepreneurial journey has been a masterclass in overcoming barriers, finding solutions, and independently launching and selling products.

My journey reflects not only a dedication to personal and professional growth but also a passion for creating meaningful experiences.