Harry-Piekema-info-1.jpg
Speaker & Moderator

Harry Piekema

Harry Piekema helps organizations where communication is faltering or lacks impact to become convincing and effective again. With his background as an actor and communication trainer, he shows how behavior, presence, and non-verbal signals make the difference. He enhances practical persuasion, collaboration, and leadership skills. On stage, he is sharp, humorous, and interactive, immediately engaging the audience with relatable situations.

Photographer: André Sjouerman.

  • Rate indication: € 3,750.-
  • Available for booking as: Speaker Day chairman Presenter Panelist
  • Languages: Dutch English

About Harry Piekema

Harry Piekema gained national recognition unexpectedly when he became the lead character in the successful Albert Heijn TV campaign. Humor is a constant thread in his work and worldview. His versatility in communication is less known but comes through strongly in his lectures. As a speaker, Harry engages his audience and shares practical insights on purpose, communication, and (personal) leadership.

 

Education

Harry explored all facets of performing arts—music theater, text theater, youth theater, dance theater—before starting a three-year study at the Institute for Applied Integral Psychology in 1993. There, he deepened his understanding of the drivers, motivations, and barriers of human behavior. These insights not only enhanced his acting but also opened a new field: communication training. Harry worked as a training actor and later as a communication trainer across various sectors, including gender diversity programs for banks, law firms, and universities (in collaboration with Asccher/van Iren), and leadership programs at DSM for Rotterdam School of Management (with Paul Kerr and Barbara Banda), alongside numerous corporate projects. The “Regiemodel” often connected theater and training in his work.

 

After completing his drama studies at HKU Utrecht in 1981, Harry immediately began working on a production. Within five years, the duo Hamm & Hoppa (with Genio de Groot) became known for a form of theater not previously seen in the Netherlands: adult clowning. From 1986, he worked in diverse productions that blended multiple theater disciplines.

 

Combining Different Worlds

Since 1996, Harry has consistently combined the worlds of theater, film, TV, and training, allowing them to inspire one another. After ending the successful Albert Heijn campaign in 2014 to pursue other projects, he performed solo theater shows, took film roles, and played an extreme-right politician at the Noord-Nederlands Toneel (Borgen marathon, 9 hours). Lectures and moderation followed, along with workshops for actors in the Chubbuck Technique, first abroad and later in the Netherlands, which he initiated.

 

Lectures

As a speaker, Harry Piekema delivers inspiring lectures on personal qualities and image, guides management teams, and offers personal coaching. He equips audiences with practical tools to create impact in any area by applying the power of effective communication and meaningful purpose. His sessions combine a healthy dose of humor with deep knowledge of applied psychology, communication, and (personal) leadership, providing actionable insights that help professionals and teams grow.

Sessions

They may seem like very different concepts: having motivation and finding purpose—the light and serious sides of every endeavor. Yet they are closer than you think. Without motivation, nothing meaningful happens. Harry Piekema clearly explains how this all comes together in body language and how you can immediately enhance your strengths using the Attention Areas Method. This method draws on his extensive experience as a theater actor and trainer, as well as his studies in integral psychology. A practical, hands-on lecture or training.

Harry Piekema addresses the topic of communication in his presentations. If you want to make an impact, convey something meaningful, or truly reach people, it’s important to be motivated and engaged. Only then does your body participate, and half of your message is already communicated before you even speak. Non-verbal communication becomes your support and foundation, naturally creating connection. You enjoy speaking or taking part in a serious or engaging conversation. Explaining this principle in a lecture, workshop, or personal coaching has been a core part of Harry’s work for several years—and he enjoys doing it.

As the bridge between the country’s largest supermarket chain and the Dutch public, Harry Piekema’s task was to deliver every commercial message in a way people gladly accepted. He succeeded, becoming the friendly and engaging face of Albert Heijn. What is the secret behind that personal and strong customer connection that made him a welcome guest in people’s homes? And do you always feel motivated to be seen that way?

 

Besides being an actor, Harry was already a communication trainer before becoming a TV personality. This lecture explores how the principles of non-verbal communication helped him strengthen AH’s network—and how they can be applied by any networker. The challenges and pitfalls he encountered, together with his comedic talent—which is both his profession and personal salvation—run as a consistent thread throughout the session.

Video's

Customers rate our us with a grade of 9.1

  • Wide range of current speakers
  • Personal & non-binding advice
  • For every type of event