In this interview, Montserrat Coll, Head of Finance, Controlling and Human Resources at Catalana Drilling Germany, shares the people-centred approach behind Catalana Drilling’s international growth.
“I believe the best organisations are those that put people at the heart of what they do and create environments where everyone can contribute their best.”
The growth of Catalana Drilling in Germany has brought not only new projects and challenges, but also professionals from different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. Behind this growth lies an ongoing effort to attract, onboard and develop the talent that enables us to keep moving forward.
Today, we speak to Montserrat Coll, Head of Finance, Controlling and Human Resources at Catalana Drilling in Germany, to meet the person leading this challenge. We discover how she found her way into Human Resources, what managing talent in an international environment means to her and what she enjoys most about working with people.
Before we begin...
📍 Position: Head of Finance, Controlling and Human Resources
🎓 Education: Advanced Vocational Qualification in Administration and Finance
📅 Years with the company: 7 years
🌍 Lenguages: Catalan, Spanich and English
Talking to Montse
❓ To begin with, who is Montse Coll? How would you describe yourself in a few words, both at work and outside it?
I would describe myself as approachable, committed and very people-focused. I enjoy listening, understanding the needs of each professional and helping them develop their full potential. I believe the best organisations are those that put people at the heart of what they do and create environments where everyone can contribute their best.
Outside work, I am a curious person who enjoys constantly learning, travelling and spending time with family and friends. That curiosity is also part of my professional life, because when you work with people, you never stop learning.
❓ Did you always know that you wanted to work in Human Resources, or was it a profession you discovered over time?
No, it was something that developed naturally. I began my professional career in Finance, but I always enjoyed helping my colleagues and making sure they felt comfortable living in a country far from home.
Over time, I realised that my true vocation lay in working with people. I soon understood that what really motivated me was supporting them in their development, helping them grow and contributing to the creation of strong, committed teams.
For me, Human Resources represents the perfect combination of strategic business vision and the human dimension of an organisation. Being able to contribute to a company’s growth while helping people develop their professional careers is an enormously rewarding responsibility.
❓ Your career has led you to head Human Resources at Catalana Drilling in Germany. What has this experience meant to you, both professionally and personally?
It has been one of the most enriching experiences of my career. Professionally, it has given me the opportunity to take on a wide range of challenges: managing the company’s growth, bringing international talent into the team, adapting to a highly competitive labour market and developing processes that support that evolution.
On a personal level, working in a multicultural environment teaches you to look at things from different perspectives. Every new person who joins the team brings new ideas, experiences and ways of working, helping both the company and all of us who are part of it to continue growing.
❓ Attracting talent is one of the major challenges in our sector, particularly in a market as competitive as Germany. How do you approach this challenge from a Human Resources perspective?
Today, attracting talent goes far beyond simply posting a job vacancy. People are looking for stable projects, opportunities to grow, a positive working environment and companies where they can feel valued.
I also like to think about talent from a very personal perspective. I genuinely believe that everyone has a talent. Not everyone is suited to everything, and that does not mean they lack potential; they simply need to find where they can truly add value and develop. One of the parts of my job that I enjoy most is helping people discover that talent and creating the conditions that allow them to put it into practice.
That is precisely what we aim to offer. We take a personal approach to onboarding, support new colleagues throughout their integration and work to give them opportunities to develop professionally within the company.
We are also aware that many of the people who join us come from other countries. That is why we try to make their transition as easy as possible, both into the company and into their new surroundings, because we know that feeling supported from day one makes a real difference.
Ultimately, when people find a place where they can develop their talent and feel valued, they benefit, the team benefits and the company benefits. That is the kind of relationship we aim to build through Human Resources.
❓ When you interview a candidate, what is the first thing you look for? Is there a particular quality that really makes a difference to you?
Experience and knowledge are important, but they are not the only things we value. I pay close attention to attitude, willingness to learn and the ability to work as part of a team.
In a sector like ours, we look for committed, responsible professionals who are enthusiastic about becoming part of a long-term project. Many technical skills can be developed through training and experience, but attitude, commitment and respect for colleagues are fundamental values that really make a difference.
❓ Catalana Drilling has experienced significant growth in recent years. Is there a particular moment or appointment that you are especially proud of? Why?
Rather than one particular appointment, I am especially proud to see how many people who joined us several years ago have grown professionally within the company and now hold positions with greater responsibility.
It shows that at Catalana Drilling we believe in internal talent and provide genuine opportunities for development. Seeing someone believe in the project, evolve and build their career with us is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
❓ If someone reading this interview is considering developing their career with us, what would you say to them?
I would tell them that they will find much more than a job. They will find a committed, approachable and professional team where people matter and where effort and commitment can lead to opportunities for growth.
We are a company that continues to grow internationally, with ambitious projects and a strong commitment to safety, innovation and people development. We are looking for professionals who want to take on new challenges, learn and become part of a project with a future.
If you are keen to grow, contribute your knowledge and work in an environment where talent and teamwork are valued, we would be delighted to meet you. Because Catalana Drilling’s success has always been closely linked to the success of the people who are part of it, and we want to continue building that future together.
And finally...
❤️ What is a hobby that helps you switch off? Exploring property markets in other countries
☕ Coffee or tea? Coffee
🏔️ See or mountains? Sea
🌍 A place you would always go back to? Costa Brava
🍽️ A dish that is always on your table? Spanish omelette
🎬 A series, book or podcast you would recommend? Inhuman Resources, starring Éric Cantona
😊 What small thing makes you happy on an ordinary day? Seeing my loved ones happy and healthy
💭 Is there something about you that not many people know? I know some sign language
🚀 If you could learn anything tomorrow, what would it be? Languages
💬 One word that defines Catalana Drilling? Team
🎤 Who would you nominate for the next #KnowTheTeam interview?Joan Regada
