About Fiona van Petegem

Your Trusted Partner in Product Risk Management

With over 25 years of experience helping businesses navigate the complexities of product development, manufacturing, and global market presence, I understand the risks that can derail even the most promising products. I have supported more than 35 product businesses, ranging from startups to multinational medium-to-large enterprises, strengthening resilience, efficiency, and sustainability at every stage.

I partner with business leaders to preemptively manage product risks, strengthening resilience, efficiency, and sustainability at every stage. My approach is practical, collaborative, and rooted in genuine partnership.

My Journey

In 2018, after returning to New Zealand from Germany, I launched RB Development to address a growing need for smarter, sustainable product risk management. My goal has always been to help businesses identify and mitigate risks proactively, ensuring that they can operate confidently in global markets without sacrificing quality or compliance.

Initially, I began consulting in both Germany and New Zealand, and now work with a range of organisations globally. I also assisted the University of Canterbury in setting up Transition Engineering and Energy Transition courses. This experience deepened my understanding of the inter-connectedness between sustainability and product risk management.

Real-World Experience Across Industries and Countries

My technical foundation is strengthened by real-world application across industrial, consumer, and consumable product sectors, from design validation and Lean process improvement to regulatory compliance and sustainable transition strategies.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked within businesses in New Zealand, China, the Netherlands, and Germany. I have helped businesses of all sizes tackle product safety issues, improve quality, navigate global compliance, and solve operational challenges. This breadth of experience allows me to understand the challenges faced by both startups and established multinational enterprises, and to tailor strategies that deliver measurable results.

Qualifications: A Strong Foundation for Effective Risk Management

I hold a B.E. (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and an M.B.A. in International Industrial Management from Esslingen University of Applied Sciences in Germany. This combination of technical expertise and international business knowledge has equipped me with a broad understanding of business in global markets and the technical understanding of product development and manufacturing.

Why Work With Me?

Working with me means having a trusted partner who understands both the technical and strategic aspects of product risk management. I focus on helping business leaders build confidence in their products, streamline their operations, and minimise risk at every stage, from concept to market.

I work closely with businesses to develop tailored product risk management strategies that align with their goals. Whether it’s enhancing product safety, improving compliance, or accelerating time-to-market, I ensure that risk management becomes a strategic advantage.

Ready to Strengthen Your Business with Smarter Product Risk Management?

Ready to discuss how we can strengthen your business by mitigating product risks? Let’s talk about how my approach can help you secure your edge and confidently bring innovative products to market.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, sign up for my Smart Risk Playbook Newsletter, or explore past editions.