Graduate Story: Ernst Teunissen
From the leafy campus of Guildford to the bustling boardrooms of Boston, Ernst Teunissen has built a career defined by transformation, adaptability, and global outlook. Now on the Board of Directors of Criteo, Just Eat, and Printful, he was most recently the Chief Financial Officer at Tripadvisor, overseeing the company’s worldwide finance operations.
Discovering the human side of business
Already armed with a business degree from Nyenrode Business Universiteit and an MBA from the University of Oregon, Ernst came to Surrey in search of something less technical but no less crucial. He enrolled in the Change Agent Skills and Strategies programme, a part-time master’s course designed to develop interpersonal, organisational, and psychological insight.
“It was very experiential,” Ernst recalls. “There were about 20 of us in the cohort. We met every couple of months for several days at a time and focused on change at every level - individual, team, and organisation. It was hands-on, reflective, and unlike anything I’d done before.”
The course, led by Josie Gregory and Paul Tosey, provided not only fresh perspective but also practical skills. “What I learned at Surrey proved invaluable later, especially when leading major transformations at Cimpress and Tripadvisor. It wasn’t just about strategy or finance - it was about managing change, understanding resistance, and guiding teams through cultural shifts.”
A career of transformation
That ability to lead change has become a defining theme in Ernst’s career. At Cimpress, he helped steer the company from a narrow product focus toward a broad, customer-driven strategy. At Tripadvisor, he has overseen a shift from relying primarily on hotel-related products to diversifying into experiences and multi-brand operations.
“These were major transformations - business, cultural, and organisational,” he explains. “And Surrey helped me be a better executive in navigating them.”
Lessons from a global journey
Ernst’s career has taken him from Europe to Asia and now the United States. Along the way, he has learned that while cultures differ, people are united by common values. “Ultimately, business is about building trust. Trust comes from integrity, openness, and authenticity - and that’s universal.”
As a leader, he also champions humility and curiosity. “The danger in one’s career is thinking you know it all. I’ve always sought out change and new challenges because standing still means slowing down. Staying humble, hiring people who challenge you, and never losing your curiosity are what keep you growing.”
Advice for today’s graduates
When asked what advice he would give young professionals, Ernst encourages flexibility. “There isn’t one ‘right’ path. Early on, it’s less about building the perfect ladder and more about gathering meaningful experiences. Be open to opportunities, even if they don’t fit a rigid plan. Every experience - good or bad - teaches you something valuable.”
He also stresses the importance of adaptability in an era of rapid technological and geopolitical change. “The world is evolving so quickly that the ability to embrace change and stay flexible is more important than ever.”
Travel, perspective, and balance
Outside of work, Ernst and his wife Ellen share a passion for travel. Their journeys - from living in Singapore and Hong Kong to exploring their favourite destination in Valbonne, France - have shaped his perspective. “Travel is the ultimate mind opener,” he says. “It gets you out of your comfort zone and helps you see the world differently.”
Coming full circle
Reconnecting through alumni conversations has reminded Ernst of the value of his time here. “My Surrey experience may have been concentrated within one programme, but it had an outsized impact on my career. The lessons I learned about change and people have stayed with me.”
For Ernst, Surrey was more than a stop along the way - it was a turning point. And while his professional journey has taken him across the globe, the roots of his leadership philosophy trace back to the classrooms and conversations in Guildford.