Meet the Team: Gerard Balp – 18 Years at Lankelma 🎉

How long have you been working at this company?
I’ve been with Lankelma for 18 “short” years, and it’s been an incredible journey so far.

What do you like about working here, and what have you learned during your time with the company?
What I love most about working here is the people. It really feels like a family—from the MD all the way to the cleaners. I even know everyone’s partners’ names, which says a lot about how close we all are. Over the years, I’ve learned that nothing ever goes exactly to plan. There’s always some last-minute breakdown, site cancellation, or health and safety issue. But with the right people around, anything can be solved, usually with a laugh and a smile.

What is life like as an operator?
Life as an operator can be tough but very rewarding. There are long days, often driving from site to site and working alone, but the experiences are worth it. CPT has taken me all over the world—from China and Congo to Oman, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, and Canada. For me, it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.

How is your experience as a Health & Safety Manager, and how does it compare to your previous role as an operator?
Some might say it’s a case of poacher turned gamekeeper, but for me, the move felt natural. With nearly two decades of fieldwork behind me, I feel I can really make a difference. Health and safety doesn’t need to be complicated—it should be the easiest part of what we do, something woven into our daily work rather than just paperwork.

How do you feel about being the longest-serving team member in the company?
It honestly feels like only yesterday I joined—though back then I had jet-black hair and a flat stomach! Some things change, but what hasn’t is how much I enjoy being part of the team. I take pride in having grown with the company and seeing how far we’ve come together.

Is there anything you’d like to share with the readers?
After all these years, I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s been a journey worth every mile.