The three-person management team
Tyrone Niland joins the Direct Engineering Management team in January 2022 in our next chapter of growth and scale. Existing Direct Engineering team member Krista Touquet is picking up a new role within Direct Engineering starting January 2022
This new Management Team will be instrumental in deepening business relationships and coordinating a broader setup in more areas, hence creating new opportunities— an important benchmark and personification of the company’s own value set.
As Direct Engineering endeavors to flip the traditional consultancy model on its head, its inclusive, people-first methodology will serve as the driving force behind the business, partnership, and operational decisions.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Peter SODERMANS Luxembourg
Since founding Direct Engineering in 2005 togther with Paul Zimmer , Peter has been the driving force behind its growth and the successful projects it has delivered for its clients.
Peter has, over the past 11-years, exclusively served the Media, Communications, and Digital Policy department of the Luxembourg Ministry of State (the Prime Minister’s Office) During this time, Peter worked on exciting emerging tech projects, including the expansion of the datacenter industry of Luxembourg.
He also facilitated the landing of many tech companies in Luxembourg. Further, he wrote the Luxembourg ICT environment publications for the Luxembourg Government.
In his role as coordinator of the Digital Luxembourg Infrastructure group of the Luxembourg Government, he organized many seminars and webinars about emerging tech themes. Bringing the right people together is the key-focus.
And as a 5G specialist, he co-prepared the terrain for the public policy 5G roll-out in Luxembourg. Besides, he has been involved in establishing new partnerships for the Luxembourg Government, such as with Nvidia.
He has been longtime involved with Luxembourg Commercial Internet Exchange, LU-CIX, for which he serves nowadays as their Vice-Chairman
In his spare time, Peter is a passionate Private Pilot and serves the aviation community as President of AOPA Luxembourg
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Tyrone NILAND Johannesburg
As newly appointed COO of Direct Engineering Tyrone brings a varied professional background to Direct Engineering, from founder to M&A dealmaker, to management consultant.
Tyrone can lend a sympathetic ear to entrepreneurs, help young businesses craft achievable commercial strategies and bridge the gap between founders and funders. He is inspired by our ever-changing world and the personal growth it demands. Tyrone believes that respecting our planet and connecting with nature should be a critical part of how we exist.
Tyrone joined the Direct Engineering leadership as he sincerely enjoys working with entrepreneurs to solve the commercial and personal challenges they face on a daily basis. Tyrone’s work includes helping African companies to develop a presence in Europe.
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE DIRECTOR
Krista TOUQUET Luxembourg
Krista has been overseeing administration and finance at Direct Engineering since 2005 in a mere background function.
Krista has extensive international expertise in telecommunications in start-up environments (Direct Telecom) and later served as Finance Director of Firstmark Communications Luxembourg, and as Group Controller for Microcell (Flextronics) in Luxembourg, Amsterdam, and Finland.
Krista’s administrative and financial skillset is now also available for Direct Engineering’s clients as well to strengthen the administration and process building of their own businesses.
Besides, she works on real estate management projects. Krista is truly passionate about the art of interior design.