Building, losing, and rebuilding. A CEO’s honest story - Lennart van den Heuvel

What would you do if your business lost €100 million almost overnight?In this episode of Behind the Fruit, Lennart van den Heuvel, CEO of Fruitful Ventures, shares the reality behind leadership in the fresh produce industry.From growing up in a fruit family to stepping into leadership at 29, Lennart’s journey looks like a typical success story on the surface.It wasn’t.He talks openly about losing €100M in turnover, rebuilding the business from scratch, and what that period taught him about resilience, leadership, and decision-making.This is a conversation about what happens when things don’t go to plan.And what it really takes to keep going.We also get into hiring, developing young talent, and why character matters more than experience in building strong teams.If you’re leading a business, growing a team, or navigating uncertainty, this one will stay with you.About LCR InternationalLCR International supports senior hiring across the global fresh produce sector.We work with businesses where roles require a mix of technical, commercial, and leadership experience, often across regions.Typical support includes: • Retained executive search • Talent mapping and competitor insight • Org structure and succession planningIf you're hiring and want a clearer view of the market before you start, you can get in touch here:👉 https://www.lcrint.com/