Besso appoints Michiel Kalverkamp as Chief Customer Officer
Former Amazon Head of Global Trade Services, Kalverkamp brings expertise in compliance and cross-border operations.
Besso, a Swiss startup aiming to simplify global trade compliance through Artificial Intelligence (AI), announced the appointment of Michiel Kalverkamp as Chief Customer Officer.
The appointment strengthens Besso’s core team of repeat entrepreneurs, trade compliance veterans, expert trade lawyers and top tech talent, and brings invaluable experience in global trade compliance and cross-border operations, says an official release.
"Kalverkamp joins Besso after a successful tenure at Amazon where he served as the Head of Global Trade Services for EMEA, and GE where he served as Customs Leader EU/RCIS. During his time with the e-commerce giant, Michiel Kalverkamp built and led the EMEA trade compliance team that oversaw operations for Amazon's and third-party Imports/Exports."
In his new role at Besso, Kalverkamp will focus on enhancing customer relationships and ensuring that Besso’s solutions meet the evolving needs of businesses navigating complex trade regulations, the release added.
"We are very pleased to welcome Michiel to the Besso team," says Philip Sieber-Gasser, Founder and CEO, Besso. "His experience and dedication to customer satisfaction will be instrumental as we work to unlock hidden savings for our clients and help them navigate the intricacies of trade compliance. With the addition of Michiel to the team, Besso now has a collective track record of delivering over $240 million in recurring duty savings over 36 projects across previous roles, which Besso is leveraging for its client offering. With Michiel heading up our customer support efforts, we will be better equipped to meet our clients' needs and foster lasting partnerships."
Kalverkamp adds: "I am thrilled to join Besso at such an exciting time in its journey. Global trade compliance is becoming increasingly complex, and businesses need innovative solutions to stay ahead. Besso’s AI-driven approach not only simplifies compliance but also unlocks opportunities for growth and cost optimisation. I look forward to working closely with our clients to help them navigate these challenges and maximise their trade potential."
Since its founding in 2023, Besso has leveraged AI to provide a comprehensive view of regulations and covering 2.5 times more free trade agreements (FTAs) than competitors. The company's collaboration with academic institutions including the Center for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI) at the Geneva Graduate Institute, the World Trade Institute at the University of Bern and the Interactive Visualisation & Intelligence Augmentation (IVIA) Lab at the ETH Zurich reinforces its commitment to innovation and excellence in the field, the release added.