Hello Zuidas Mei/Juni 2023

MELVIN TWELLAAR

PROFESSIONAL COMPETITIVE ROWER AND EUROPEAN CHAMPION

“I STILL COUNT MY LUCKY STARS THAT THIS IS WHAT I GET TO DO FOR A LIVING”

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PREFACE

Can a quiet quitter excel in the workplace?

This issue of Hello Zuidas is all about talent. What I love about this topic is that, with talent, it makes no difference what age you are or sector you work in or whatever else you do well. People with talent give off positive energy, set a good example and also get others fired up to excel. Lately, I’ve been seeing a growing trend of firms coming up with all kinds of ways to attract talent: from hammocks in the workplace and yoga sessions on the roof to climbing walls in company restaurants. All to boost engagement and fuel productivity. But, frankly, shouldn’t talent be its own motivator? Another trend currently being incited, particularly by the media, is ‘quiet quitting’, referring to people who come into the office at 9 am on the dot and power down at the stroke of 5 o’clock. The idea being: why give your boss ‘free’ overtime? If you’re not passionate about carving out a career, this attitude may work for you. But for the people who do, working hours ought to matter less. Work energizes you, after all, and your attitude lifts you up the ladder!

A person with real talent, in my eyes, is Marcel Melis. I’ve been following Marcel for almost ten years and seen this self-made man’s phenomenal growth. A seasoned former hedge fund manager, these days Marcel runs his own investment firm with a strong track record of success. “My firm MGI has raised more than 1 billion in investments since 2010 and found funds to match the strategies of wealthy private and institutional investors. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with people and sparking their interest in hedge funds, which I actively do through podcasts that I’m a guest on, short videos I post on LinkedIn and Instagram, and lectures I give. If you want to excel at something, you have to take risks and be willing to get your hands dirty.”

We talked to and interviewed a wide spectrum of talented individuals for this issue and are delighted to share their wonderful stories with you.

Happy reading!

ROMY LANGE

Editor-in-chief Hello Zuidas r.lange@zuidaspublishers.nl

Next issue [68] 3th of July2023

Hello Zuidas invests in trees! How we do that?

Through our sponsorship for Trees for All, we plant trees that restore existing forests.

Work hard, play hard, as the saying goes. On Friday 16 June, thousands will be putting this into action once again as Zuidas hosts its biggest sporting event of the year. Can’t you picture yourself running the 5k or 10k? No sweat! We need all the supporters we can get to cheer people on.

Before you lies another issue packed with all that’s new and noteworthy in Zuidas. Be sure to check out our spread on the Valley Open House event we hosted for members. A great big thank-you to all the companies that opened their doors for us. It was a huge success!

OLIVIER OTTEN Managing director of Hello Zuidas

Marcel Melis & Romy Lange

“I STILL COUNT MY LUCKY STARS THAT THIS IS WHAT I GET TO DO FOR A LIVING”

Melvin Twellaar, Professional competetive rower and European Champion

He scored his first silver medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with crew mate Stef Broenink, and in 2022 was named Dutch athlete of the year. We’re talking, of course, about none other than world-class rower Melvin Twellaar (26). Last year he kicked off his career in the premier league of rowing – the solo skiff – winning gold at the European Rowing Championships. In 2018, Melvin left the country’s far north to settle in Amsterdam and follow his dreams of becoming a top athlete. Now, he cycles from his home near the RAI daily to train for his next ambition on the Bosbaan or Amstel.

Melvin, how did you get into rowing?

“Both of my parents are deaf. They attended a boarding school for the hearing impaired where they regularly got to try out all sorts of activities, and rowing was one. It wasn’t necessarily their thing, but they urged me and my brothers to have a go, and that’s how I fell in love with rowing when I was twelve or so. Overall, it wasn’t that popular a sport at that age as there was an idea that you could take it up later and still get to the top. That perception seems to be shifting.”

When did it go from being a hobby to a professional career?

“Back in Groningen I trained around thirteen times a week. When I started in Amsterdam, that jumped to around sixteen times a week and involved a lot more. From there I advanced in the selection and made it into the World and European Championships.

The Netherlands assigns what’s known as ‘A status’ to top athletes who then get paid by the government, say if you qualify for the national team. Basically, it means your sport career is your job. It was after I officially put myself up for the selection in 2019 that it went from being a ‘full-time hobby’ to a professional career.”

Can you take us through a typical day in your life as a pro athlete?

“At eight in the morning we are ready for training, which I start with a big breakfast. We train on the Amstel most mornings. Those are long, thirty-kilometre sessions. In the afternoons we head over to the Bosbaan, where Topsport Amsterdam arranges all the meals. The meals are tailored to your individual training programme, so how many carbs you should be eating and things like that. Besides the boat training, we also do abs

and strength training, or occasionally Pilates or cycling. In the evenings I crawl back home for an early bedtime to be ready for the next day.”

What makes rowing better than any other sport, for you?

“It’s a sport that’s really all down to training. In many sports, like football and hockey, there’s also a degree of chance. In rowing, though, output tends to equal input. Training pays off and, to me, that’s what’s so great about it! And I love being outdoors. Sometimes when we go to training camp in the Alps and we’re out on some lake surrounded by mountains, I still count my lucky stars that this is what I get to do for a living.”

You have racked up an impressive list of titles: Olympic Silver in Tokyo in 2022, Dutch and European champion, and 2022 Dutch Athlete of the Year. Which one are you proudest of? And why?

“They were all very different races and experiences. The European title last year was very meaningful for me because it was the first major qualification postCovid. It was the first time my parents could come watch and after the last race

everyone jumped into the water. It was a big party. The other competitions were all held without spectators. Obviously, it was amazing to be part of the Tokyo Olympic Games, but at the same time a very odd experience to row past all those empty stands. And then the steps you had to take every time to avoid infection and to get tested made it quite fraught.”

You started competing in the skiff last year. Do you have a preference for team competitions or rowing solo?

“My crew mate Stef went off to do a PhD and quit rowing full time. So, the idea to row solo really came about from external factors. When I got the chance to prove myself in the skiff competition, it turned out I had a knack for it. Both competitions have their up and downsides. Obviously, it’s brilliant to be a team working together

to reach a goal. Whilst if you go for something on your own, and win, you know it’s all down to your own capability.”

Do you have your sights set on any particular competitive rowing goal at the moment?

“The Olympic qualifications are coming up again in six months. That’s my goal right now. Stef and I are entering again and are determined to take revenge this time. And it’s in Paris, so family and friends can come cheer us on. I’m really psyched about that.”

You’re also doing a degree in educational theory. Is that your future career?

“I finished a degree in sport studies before starting the educational theory programme in Amsterdam. That was a

deliberate choice, because skiff rowing was more of the same and I wanted to dive into something completely different. I’m enrolled part time while rowing and should be graduating in two years. It’s important to me personally to develop myself outside competitive sport. I think working in education would be great, but I don’t have any definite ideas yet. Sport will always be my passion, so maybe I’ll be able to combine the two.”

What does the nearer future hold for you?

“Amsterdam will be hosting the World Championships four years from now. I would love to be a part of that. I’m not committing to anything, but it would be a brilliant home game. Beyond that, it’s so hard to predict what the future holds. But that’s what keeps every day interesting.”

“Training pays off and, to me, that’s what’s so great about it!”

ZUIDAS MARKET IS HERE TO STAY

Following a successful eighteen-month trial period, there’s good news: Zuidas Market is here to stay. From 9.00 until 17.00 every Thursday, Gershwinplein is the place to go for your groceries and delicatessen. Or simply to enjoy the atmosphere and have a chat.

Based in George Gershwinplein and open from 9.00 until 17.00 every Thursday since the second day of September 2021, Zuidas Market features the tastiest food: from cannoli to cheese and from falafel to fish. This was an eighteen-month trial period, after which the Zuid city district had to make a decision on the market’s future. With the awarding of a five-year licence,

that decision has now been made. Bart Vink, Zuid city district chairman: ‘Zuidas Market is set to continue and that’s great news for anyone who wants to see a vibrant Zuidas. It’s become quite busy and lively here between the towers on Thursdays. The market also helps us to connect with Buitenveldert. And it’s all part of Zuidas’ development into a fully-fledged

residential district. I hope that more residents and visitors discover the market in the years ahead.’

Patience required

The market stalls are packed with produce as we make our way from Buitenveldert via de Lex van Deldenbrug into George Gershwinplein just before lunch. ‘It’s a very special market in a special place’, says Patrick from Van der Stok cheese stall, ‘but that doesn’t mean we’re really expensive, even though people often

think so.’ Making a success of a market stall requires patience: according to Marc Schoonebeek, it takes around five years for a stall to become profitable. After eighteen months, the stalls on Gershwinplein are slowly beginning to attract regular customers. But there’s always room for more. There’s certainly no shortage of ideas. ‘It would be great to put up some signs next to the station’, says Esmé from licorice stall Droomdrop. ‘Then passengers getting off at Mahlerplein could see immediately that there’s a market just a short distance away (behind the two tall Symphony Towers, Ed).’

Sense of belonging

It’s now past midday and the surrounding offices are beginning to empty. The market square is filling up with workers, as well as children’s buggies and people taking advantage of their walk with the dog to pick up something tasty at the market.

Here and there, there are bikes laden with shopping bags. ‘Hopefully, the people from Buitenveldert are slowly starting to discover us’, says cheese seller Patrick. ‘In any case, they’re very welcome.’ But like any other market, it’s not always equally busy, as Edwin from Cannoli (Italian pastries) confirms: ‘But, even then, there’s always a great atmosphere here.’ This atmosphere even extends to the businesses with fixed premises in the square, including the Limon restaurant that lends out its terrace tables and chairs to the Zuidas Market in the summer.

Events

In the background, market superintendent Marc is doing his best to make what the market has to offer (‘a great social melting pot, with a really eclectic mix’) as attractive as possible. But there are still quite a few challenges to surmount: ‘For example, we’re reaching our limit when it

comes to power. If we had to connect up a new chicken butcher, it’d overload the system.’ But the smile appears on his face again as he talks about the musical events scheduled to start from April. There will be a visit from a jazz ensemble and this year will see Gershwinplein feature as one of the Canal Festival venues in August. What other conclusions can we draw after eighteen months of the Zuidas Market?

Esmé from Droomdrop gets straight to the point: ‘I have a sense that this is going to be truly something, here in Gershwinplein.’

Photography: Jan Vonk

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Download the Hello Zuidas City App Hello Zuidas has an app that allows you to flip through all the Zuidas news!

Over the past week I weighed what to write about for this month’s issue of our marvellous local magazine. For a while, I thought it would have to be my study trip to Washington DC and New York, where we went in search of avenues of approach to creating a national slavery museum here in the Netherlands. Alternatively, there was the impact of the provincial elections, in which a new party’s sweep to victory in every province, leaving all others in the dust, caused something of a seismic shift. We’ll be watching how those results play out in the months ahead.

Or maybe I ought to write about the social inequalities that are becoming increasingly widespread? Last week, I attended a fascinating talk by Dr Jurenne Hooi, hosted by the Antillean Network Association VAN at De Balie (centre for debate) in Amsterdam. The theme was problem debt, relief aid and the repercussions.

I was struck not only by Jurenne’s trenchant analysis of how people wind up in debt sometimes literally overnight, but also by the fact that this is happening at all strata of society. She made it crystal clear that to imagine it happens only in particular neighbourhoods in particular postcodes is a myth. High energy costs, a twofold rise in household food expenses, the precarious health situation many people find themselves in and a hard-nosed government are causing not only stress, but uncertainty as well.

Shame is unquestionably another effect of problem debt, and one that exists here in Zuidas, too. We have to realize how vital it is to reach out a helping hand to each other, precisely in times like these, before it is too late. We have to be conscious of the fact that one in every five persons in the Netherlands ends up in debt. That’s right: one in five of your colleagues are experiencing this problem. So, let’s actively reach out and encourage connectedness. Let’s send the message that it’s okay to talk about distress and disappointments. And let’s all show one another that we are truly listening, and so shine an even bigger beacon of hope and love across Zuidas and all of the Netherlands.

John Leerdam is a Dutch film and theater director and former politician. He was a member of the parlement for the Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) from 2003 to 2012.

“The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose”

- James Baldwin

HELLO PEOPLE GOT A MINUTE?

Lifelong learning and talent are the main themes of this issue – because there’s always more for us to learn! You can learn on all kinds of fronts, from taking on a new hobby in music or crafts, learning a new language or sport to taking courses or even a new degree. Nowadays, a lot more people value the opportunity to develop themselves within the workplace or take courses besides their jobs. This time, we asked the people in Zuidas what they do to keep developing and how or if it’s encouraged by their employer.

Camiel Mannens (29)

“I’m a student doing a PhD in developmental biology. Once you go into research, you’re basically setting off on a path of lifelong learning. I spend whole days gathering new knowledge, be it from books or online channels. I learn a lot from how other people approach and solve problems. My employer encourages me to investigate, to think of new angles and try things out as much as possible. Some things work and some don’t. Having the freedom to learn by trial and error is important to me, especially for research. If you don’t try anything new, you’ll never find any new solutions either.”

Carolien

“A lack of development opportunities at my old employer was the reason I joined Rob Peetoom eleven years ago. Now, I’m an education manager for our workforce development. Education is critical to maintaining a high standard in our salon and it’s a brilliant motivator. At Rob Peetoom we have our own hairdressing academy. We organize training sessions in our salon as well, so everybody gets opportunities to advance. Apart from that, we also invest in passing on knowledge. The new generation we’re training now will train others further down the line. Hairdressing is a profession that’s evolving non-stop, with new trends coming all the time, so we mustn’t fall behind.”

Lavinia de Haseth Möller (30)

“A culinary course in France eleven years ago ignited my passion for this work. A good education and inspiring teachers motivated me to go on developing. I’ve had my own restaurant, De Uitsmijter, with locations in Zuidas and the RAI, for just over three years now. Being my own boss forces me to keep working on myself. Any time I run into a wall, I see it as a learning opportunity. And if there’s something I don’t know much about, I look it up. I’ll watch videos on YouTube, listen to a podcast or ask people I know. Being inquisitive by nature helps. Plus, I enjoy learning new things. Apart from my own development, I am also responsible for growth within my team. I urge my employees to step outside their comfort zones and try out new things. And I also try to present knowledge in palatable forms, such as through an app or quiz.”

“Education and development are important to me. In my case it’s an ongoing process both personally and professionally. I studied economic geography but work as a human geographer now and match passionate restaurateurs with the right premises in Zuidas. I seize on anything I enjoy doing and learn along the way. Working on my own development isn’t always a conscious choice; it just happens. That said, I think part of it is having a specific mindset, of seeing a challenge and not turning away. I don’t have it in me to stop developing. I just can’t resist the excitement of new challenges.”

Nederend (36)

Text & Photography: Lysanne Wilkens

Johan Horstman (58)

ZUIDAS HOME TOUR

“Dubai is great for a while but we like the lifestyle in the Netherlands better”

A year and a half ago, Adriaan Hernández and Susan Poeder traded AmsterdamZuidas for Dubai. Now, the couple hop around between Airbnbs. Aside from the financial benefits, this lifestyle also gives them the flexibility to pack up whenever they please. Their Dubai adventure is also part of a bigger plan to grow their personal training business.

How did you two meet?

Adriaan: “I was born in Chile, but the economic situation there wasn’t good, so I decided to leave. I had an uncle living in the Netherlands, and I thought: why not? I’ve always worked in sports and fitness. In the Netherlands I started as a personal trainer at Clubsportive, and that’s where Susan and I met.”

Susan: “I moved to Zuidas to study journalism at VU Amsterdam. I was living in the green building Summertime. I got to know Adriaan right at the start of the corona crisis and we lived together for hsix months in Zuidas before leaving for Dubai.”

You have also gone into business together. How did that come about?

Susan: “Meeting Adriaan kick-started my passion for sport. I decided to take the plunge, got certified as a personal trainer and quit my media work. When I met Adriaan, he was building an online

Adriaan Hernández and Susan Poeder live in Dubai

coaching app. Thanks to my media background, I know all about branding, sales and marketing, so I took charge of that. We make a great team together.”

Adriaan: “More and more people are becoming digital nomads, especially in Dubai. We’ve seen loads of Dutch people shuttling back and forth between the Netherlands and Dubai. And that’s our target group. We offer one-on-one coaching on location and the app lets them continue working out on their own as well. Demand for this kind of hybrid fitness approach is growing.”

What made you choose Dubai?

Adriaan: “That was my idea. Many gyms were closed during the pandemic and people were less motivated to work out. We had fewer clients, just when we were looking to grow our business. I thought it would be a good idea to go abroad. Dubai is an ideal place to learn and master

the art of running a business, as the competition there is fierce.”

Now that you’ve been living in Dubai for a year and a half, what would you say is the main difference with Zuidas?

Susan: “When I moved to Amsterdam from Groningen, I was majorly impressed by Zuidas. Now, having got used to Dubai, it feels small. I think Zuidas was a great stepping stone to our life here. The mentality in terms of work and ambition is comparable, but even more intense in Dubai. It’s all go-go-go, non-stop. You push yourself to go the extra mile, but at the same time you have to guard against overstretching.”

In Dubai, you’ve been hopping from Airbnb to Airbnb. Doesn’t that become stressful?

Adriaan: “It can be, but our priority is being flexible. You don’t need a fixed address to live or work in Dubai, so staying in Airbnbs

is no problem. We live out of two suitcases. That’s not an ideal situation, but we’re not planning to stay here forever. We came to Dubai for the experience.”

Susan: “Also, in Dubai there’s the problem that if you take out a lease for a year, you have to pay up front, which puts you back 15,000 euros. We prefer renting Airbnbs, which also makes it easier any time we want to spend a month back in the Netherlands.”

Do you want to come back to the Netherlands eventually?

Adriaan: “Yes, this summer, but our business also continues in Dubai. Dubai is great for a while. We’re meeting tons of people and acquiring all sorts of knowledge and experience. But we like the lifestyle in the Netherlands better. Our objective is for our company to carry on in Dubai, without us having to be here. Then we can continue building this concept somewhere else.”

EQUIOM CELEBRATES MOVE TO NEW AMSTERDAM OFFICES

Equiom Group, a global professional services provider, recently relocated their Amsterdam team to ultra-modern new offices at 2Amsterdam in the Zuidas.

The move is part of Equiom’s strategic commitment to develop its team in the Netherlands, its network of partners and extensive service offering across the private wealth and corporate sectors in key locations around the world.

Overwhelmingly positive feedback

Peter Soesbeek, Equiom’s Managing Director in the Netherlands commented: “The move to our new offices has been in the planning stages for some time and the feedback from Equiom’s business partners and colleagues has been overwhelmingly positive. We have a growing portfolio of loyal clients, who have acted as the catalyst for the move to the Zuidas. We feel privileged to be able to offer our services from such a fantastic location. We are delighted to have completed this move to Zuidas. Our Amsterdam office is a key hub in the Equiom network and this move reflects our commitment to growing our presence

in the Netherlands and across the Benelux region. We have a fantastic team in Amsterdam and this move will allow us to continue to provide the highest level of service for our clients.”

Event at the Cielo Sky Bar

The new offices will also provide an opportunity for Equiom to grow its team of experts and extend its portfolio of services to ensure that our clients are fully supported in all of their corporate service needs. To celebrate the move, the team recently welcomed a number of clients and partners to a drinks event at the Cielo Sky Bar, Amsterdam’s newest rooftop bar. Located on the 15th floor of the iconic

A’DAM Tower, the bar offered guests stunning views and a unique experience.   Equiom’s Amsterdam office provides a range of services, including corporate structuring, fiduciary services, accounting, and compliance. Equiom also provides specialist services for the private wealth sector including trust, family office services and corporate secretarial services.    Equiom’s Amsterdam team is looking forward to welcoming clients and business partners to their new offices in the Zuidas.

Equiom (Netherlands) B.V. is licensed and supervised by the Dutch Central Bank.

Equiom Netherlands

Eduard van Beinumstraat 28 1077 CZ Amsterdam

+31 (0)20 420 0600

www.equiomgroup.com

HELLO ZUIDAS TAKES MEMBERS INSIDE VALLEY

Hello Zuidas has a mission to connect the urban community. The idea for our March Members Meeting was to connect members with one another and with hotspots in Valley. Kicking off the event, Olivier explained, “Today, we are taking you on an expedition introducing you to six different places. We’re immensely grateful to the entrepreneurs behind each concept for offering to take you around their businesses and share their stories.”

Olivier Otten of Hello Zuidas, Tony Wijntuin of WYNE. Strategy & Innovation, and Gordana Todorovic of Hello Zuidas

Looking back on a successful event, Olivier said: “For a very large share of our members, the Valley Open House was their first introduction to tenants of this iconic complex. Our visits to six hotspots, from the ground floor up to the 26th level, changed their ideas about Valley for good. I hope everyone enjoyed this marvellous event.”

Casper Klap and Fons Smeets of TRIBES Inspiring Workplaces

Casper’s reaction: “What an awesome tour! As well as the amazing design, it’s also a multifunctional building with loads of character. Housing, restaurants and leisure all in one. This is the future. Soon, you won’t need to leave the building at all. It’s all right there.”

Calvin Choi of Market 33 and Michael Berendsen of Corporate Housing Factory

Michael said: “This is a great new addition and a beautiful enhancement of this corner of Zuidas. I’ve seen quite a few undiscovered gems, but was really wowed by GREEN – such a brilliant concept. It brings an international dimension to Zuidas.”

Alice

van

der Hoek of IN Amsterdam

Alice: “I was really looking forward to seeing the inside of Valley. It’s amazing. Lots of unexpected restaurants, but now that I know about them, I’ll definitely be checking them out. It was an eye-opener.”

Tekst: Gordana Todorovic • Photography: Roxanne Wilm

‘PERSONAL DIFFERENCES MAKE US S TRONGER

A few months ago, we held CBRE´s very own Inclusion Fest. A week devoted to an open and accessible discussion with colleagues about equal opportunities and being yourself at work. Recent internal research shows that staff working at CBRE already feel free to be themselves. But, as far as I’m concerned, there’s always room for improvement. This is why I hope that the Inclusion Fest has stimulated debate about diversity and inclusion and helped raise awareness. Everyone’s different and that’s something we should actively encourage. Because we can only come up with the best real estate solutions together if each of us has the confidence to share their personal views.

Serious themes, accessible discussions

We engaged in open conversation with each other on diversity and inclusion at work, in order to raise awareness of these themes. We started with some icebreakers: cards featuring interesting topics for discussion that we placed on people’s desks. Anonymous job applications: are they essential for inclusive recruitment? What exactly do we mean by an inclusive labour market? Have you ever experienced privileges at work? How do you handle power imbalances at work? These are not the kind of subjects that we raise over coffee every day. But that’s what makes it so interesting to discuss them in detail together.

There’s always room for improvement

Every year, we conduct research into colleagues’ experiences at work. This year’s survey revealed that staff feel free to be themselves at work and find the atmosphere to be friendly and informal. Of course, that’s great news! But we also want to raise people’s awareness of blind spots in their working lives. We all feel most comfortable with people who are like us and that’s why we seek out their company – consciously, but also often without realizing it. But it’s actually really important to try to relate to different people. I’m totally convinced that a melting pot of cultures

and personalities ultimately leads to the best results. This is why we endeavour to encourage an open perspective. There’s a place for everyone here. Only if we create an atmosphere where everyone is able to collaborate on an equal footing can we truly achieve the best results for our customers. That’s why there’s always room for new ideas – it really is part of our DNA. Whether you’re junior or senior, you can always express a good idea and often even put it into practice.

Looking beyond differences

If you’ve just started working with someone who’s different and thinks differently, it can sometimes be awkward. But you need to get beyond that. Because it not only broadens your horizons – the team results also benefit at the same time. Thanks to our different personalities, perspectives and opinions, we always take a slightly different approach to customers than our competitors. And that’s how we achieve the best, most creative and most original solutions. This is also why we deliberately bring together as many different people as possible in a team – not in terms of their position or job description, but relative to their approach and style of working. That’s our strength: both for colleagues and customers. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

Irene Flotman, Managing Director CBRE

AGENDA MAY & JUNE 2023

Tuesday 9 May

BUSINESS ENGLISH –TAALCENTRUM-VU WORKSHOP

@ Taalcentrum-VU

www.taalcentrum-vu.nl

Every Thursday

LIVE MUSIC NIGHT AT THE MANHATTAN BAR

@ Manhattan Bar

www.manhattanbar.nl

Step inside the Manhattan Lounge Bar and soak up the spirit of a genuine cocktail bar. Sip stellar signature cocktails mixed by our bartenders while enjoying live music. For more info, email: anais.sheshekli@ihg.com

7 May & 14 June

MUSIC IN THE PARK

@ Stadshout Pavilion, Amstelpark

www.dichtbij.online

Put some swing into your Sundays! The Stadshout Pavilion in Amstelpark hosts concerts at 12.30pm every first Sunday of the month. The park’s lush, leafy setting adds a special relaxing note to the music, and the harmonies blend with outdoor sounds of the rustling breeze, birdsong and children playing to create a blissful experience.

7 May: Raoul & The Wisemen - Melodic pop with an electronic twist

14 June: 50-member Seniorenorkest Amstelland - A Night at the Proms in our own Amstelpark

Friday 12 May

INTERNATIONAL TALENT EVENT

@ The Social Hub Amsterdam City

www.vu.nl

Launch your career at the International Talent Event Amsterdam. This is a unique opportunity to meet employers, learn about Amsterdam’s international jobs market, build your network and scope out your future career.

English fluency is crucial in international business. Would you like to communicate more effectively with your English-speaking clients? Taalcentrum-VU’s language experts are here to help! Our Business English workshop will boost your fluency in no time. The workshop covers two full days.

Monday 15 May

JAPANESE SPRING MARKET

@ Zuidas Botanic Garden

www.botanischetuinzuidas.nl

Tucked between the VU campus and medical center (VUmc), Zuidas’ own Botanic Garden is home to more than 6,000 species of rare plants that make up the National Plant Collection. The garden also boasts the country’s largest collection of cacti and succulents, numbering more than 30,000 specimens. Besides plants, the garden also organizes loads of fun activities. Not to be missed is the Japanese spring market. Come stimulate all your senses with workshops, guided tours, snacks, music and lots more!

Tuesday 16 May

GRIFFIOEN COMEDY CLUB

@ VU Griffioen Theatre

www.griffioen.vu.nl

Feel like a hilarious night out? Get ready for a line-up of three stand-up comedians and one rising star showcasing their talents on our stage! Who’s got the sharpest jokes, who melts your heart? All acts are in English so everyone can enjoy the show.

Thursday 25 May

ZUIDAS NEW BUILDINGS BIKE TOUR

Hello Zuidas - members only event

@ WTC Amsterdam

Hello Zuidas members are cordially invited to come on a bicycle tour past all the new building projects in Zuidas. Hop on your bike and we’ll bring you up to speed! The tour departs from the WTC Amsterdam and will conclude with a delicious lunch at Bar Valdi. Want to join us? Please send an email to: servicepoint@hellozuidas.com.

19-21 May

DE NEXTGEN GAMES

@ Olympic Stadium

nextgen.amsterdam

SportsGen and the City of Amsterdam are hosting the seventh edition of the NextGen Games, an event dedicated to the next generation of top athletes and sports. The programme spotlights 11 sports of the future.

19 May-24 September

ARTZUID 2023

@ Amsterdam-Zuid – artzuid.nl

This summer, outdoor spaces across Amsterdam-Zuid provide a showcase for an art trail encompassing 70 sculptures. The route starts at the Artzuid Information Pavilion at Minervalaan no. 1 in Amsterdam and stretches 5km along Minervalaan, Apollolaan and Churchillaan.

Sunday 4 June

BOOZY BRUNCH

@ happyhappyjoyjoy Zuidas

www.happyhappyjoyjoy.asia

Cap your weekend in style at happyhappyjoyjoy Zuidas with a boozy brunch from noon to 4pm. We’ve even got a DJ! Price: €61 p.p., incl. food + free flow cava (other drinks avail. too). More info + bookings: https://table.app/links/cNEZb

Thursday 8 June

PRIDE CINEMA ZUIDAS

@ Rialto VU – www.vu.nl

Partners VU Pride x Hello Zuidas present a screening of Goodbye Stranger at Rialto VU, including snacks and drinks. The film starts at 5pm and Bar Boele will host drinks afterwards. For more info or to snag a free ticket, check our website or email us at: elisa.schouten@hellozuidas.com

13 & 14 June

IDENTITY WEEK EUROPE

@ RAI Amsterdam - www.rai.nl

Identity Week Europe is a conference and exhibition bringing together the brightest minds in the identity sector to promote innovation, new thinking and more effective identity solutions.

May and June

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

@ De Thomas – www.dethomas.nl

Free lunchtime concerts every fortnight. Always classical music, a different musician or ensemble each time.

9 May: Duo Era

23 May: Pieter Boogaerts & José Menes

6 June: Marta Papäne & Pāvels Laganovskis

20 June: Frank Bridge Quartet

Friday 16 June

ZUIDAS RUN

@ Amsterdam-Zuidas - www.zuidasrun.nl

This unique running event criss-crosses Amsterdam’s iconic Zuidas district, with 5K and 10K loops to choose from. Sign up to run on your own or with a team of colleagues, family or friends. Unwind afterwards at our post-race cooling down party on Gustav Mahlerplein, transformed into a festival complete with bars and food trucks, a dance floor and DJ spinning the beats. Rise to the athletic challenge and sign up now!

Friday 10 June

ABSEILING FROM WTC AMSTERDAM

@ WTC Amsterdam

Do you dare to take the plunge? And want to contribute to a good cause at the same time? Come abseiling from the WTC Amsterdam! Participants are asked to raise a nice sum for the Make-a-Wish foundation. Interested? Check out: makeawishnederland.org/rope-for-hope for details.

Photo: Ton Peters

Monday 19 June

ART MARKET

@ Zuidas Botanic Garden

Visit a special art market presenting works by members of the Kunstgroep Buitenveldert and other artists, along with musical performances. Art and nature combine for the best of two worlds. More info: www.botanischetuinzuidas.nl

Alternating Fridays, 3pm

ZUIDAS TODAY TALK SHOW

@ Online – recorded at CIRCL

Airing every other Friday at 3pm, the Zuidas Today Talk Show is a weekly discussion platform for the local business and residential community. Host Ruth Jansen talks with interesting, inspiring, high-profile guests in the CIRCL studio in Zuidas. The show is a joint initiative of Zuidas Today and ABN AMRO & CIRCL.

Every Thursday, 9am-5pm

ZUIDAS WEEKLY MARKET @ Gershwinplein

www.zuidasmarkt.nl

Every Thursday is market day from 9am to 5pm in Zuidas, when a range of stalls come to Gershwinplein to sell their fresh wares. This is a long-held dream of Zuidas residents come true! See you at the Zuidas Market next Thursday?

Saturday 24 June

INTRODUCTORY TOUR OF ZUIDAS @ WTC Amsterdam

Take an introductory tour of AmsterdamZuidas and get in the know about Zuidas and Zuidasdok. During this walk you’ll get a unique glimpse of the district and the Zuidasdok infrastructure project. We’ll end at Valley, named the world’s best skyscraper in 2022, where you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views and see the developing Ravel neighbourhood from up high. Sign up via the registration form on zuidas.nl.

30 June SUMMER PARTY

@ WTC Café de Blauwe Engel - www.deblauweengel.nl

De Blauwe Engel rocks the square during its summer bash on Zuidplein! DJs, drinks, great food and awesome people. Come party the night away with your colleagues and friends!

Address

Fred. Roeskestraat 96

ARCHITECTURE

Architects

Gerrit Rietveld, Benthem Crouwel and Fedlev team (Pauline Bremmer, a.o.)

Completed

1966, 2003 and 2019

With this issue of Hello Zuidas zooming in on the topic of talent, we decided to take a closer look in this section at the Rietveld Building, home to the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, or Rietveld School of Art & Design.

On the campus are a further two education buildings: the Benthem Crouwel Building and the Fedlev Building.

Benthem Crouwel Building

The Academy’s second building is a 2003 expansion by Benthem Crouwel Architects. The north side of this building houses studio spaces, while the south face is reserved for offices. On the ground floor is a reception area. The south and east façades are built up of cast glass elements, numbering some 16,000 in all.

Fedlev Building

The third building on the Rietveld campus ties the existing buildings and spaces together into a cohesive complex. The Fedlev Building as a whole has been in use since January 2019, marking the first time in the school’s history that all of the departments, including master’s programmes at the Sandberg Institute, have been based at the same location. In this building are facilities including the library, woodworking shop, assembly hall, robotics workshop, various project spaces and an auditorium. The Sandberg Institute occupies the first floor of this new building.

Rietveld Building

The main building was designed by architect and furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld between 1950 and 1963 and completed in 1966. It is the largest of Gerrit Rietveld’s buildings. Gerrit Rietveld did not live to see the building’s completion, as he passed away while construction was still going on. The name of the school was changed to the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in honour of Rietveld in 1968.

Photography: Jeroen Verrecht, Jordi de Vetten & H. Vroege

BC building

Rietveld building

Rietveld building

Fedlev Building

MEMBERS MEETING

21 March @ Valley

More than 100 members took a guided tour of Valley and got to see the building’s diverse hotspots. Afterwards, everyone gathered for drinks at GREEN Gastrobar on Valley’s 26th floor.

Photography: Roxanne Wilm

SNAKE VENOM IN ZUIDAS

Ever wondered how snake venom acts on the human body? In a small lab in Zuidas, chemical biologist, toxicologist and TV and radio presenter Mátyás Bittenbinder – currently affiliated with VU Amsterdam and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center – is investigating this very question. Ever since he was a kid, Mátyás, now 31, has had a fascination for nature and wildlife, toxic animals in particular, and above all amphibians and reptiles. During his four-year PhD research at VU, he’s putting his love of nature and scientific knowledge of biology to work in a large-scale study on snake venom.

Fascination, love and passion for wildlife and nature

Nature has been Mátyás’ own preferred habitat from an early age. Born and raised in Nijmegen, he grew up in an urban environment with many trees, vegetation and a small garden pond. His parents regularly brought him along on outdoor adventures, from exploring in the backyard to spotting frogs, fish and salamanders in the pond. By the age of six, Mátyás already knew he wanted to do something involving nature when he grew up. “At some point I saw documentaries of Steve Irwin and David Attenborough on TV, and they spoke so passionately about nature. That helped light a spark in me, as well”, he recalls.

When he grew older, Mátyás discovered biology: a workfield wholly devoted to plants, animals and nature. He completed

Mátyás Bittenbinder

a Bachelor’s degree in biology in Utrecht, followed by a master’s in Leiden. Meanwhile, he also examined which field of biology appealed to him the most. “I’ve always been fascinated by animals, but amphibians and reptiles in particular. During an internship in Australia, I did research on venomous snakes and this was a true eye-opener for me. I realized this was what I wanted to devote my life to.” Mátyás explains, “Snakes have no legs, no claws, can’t growl... yet people have huge respect for snakes and are only too happy to move out of the way on encountering one. Purely because they’re venomous. I think that’s pretty cool”.

Deadly cocktail can be life-saving

Altough venom can be dangerous and sometimes deadly, it can also save lives. Mátyás is part of an international group of scientists investigating ways to reduce snakebite deaths. Snakebites wind up killing upwards of 100,000-150,000 people a year. And those are only the deaths we know about, because many snakebite victims never make it to hospital. This a serious problem in poorer countries, pushing the global total considerably higher. “Snake venom consists of a number of toxic components, sort of like a toxic cocktail”, Mátyás continues. “At our VU lab we use several instruments that can break the venom down into its individual components, which allows us to study how each toxin acts on the body.” This research will take many more years as the researchers continue their quest to develop better antivenoms. Ultimately, the international research group collaborating on this study is hoping to halve the worldwide number of snakebite

deaths by 2030. “It’s ambitious”, Mátyás acknowledges, “but we’ve made some great strides in recent years”. In addition to studying the dangerous effects of snake venom toxins, their findings might pave way for finding new medicine, as snake venoms.

Mátyás, who expects to finish his dissertation within the next few months, calls his supervisors Jeroen Kool and Freek Vonk major sources of inspiration. “Jeroen inspires me academically. We have lots of great discussions and keep each other on our toes. Without him, my work in the lab would have been a lot more challenging. And Freek inspires me on both scientifically and in terms of science communication.

I can always call him and ask questions.” Mátyás is spending much of his time in the lab right now. “It gives me a kick to think

that, burrowed away in towering Zuidas with all its bankers and lawyers, there is a tiny lab where researchers are devoting their lives to study some of the most venomous snakes on the planet”, Mátyás laughs.

Mátyás not only has a passion for nature and wildlife, but also for sharing his passion for nature with the general public. He is a regular guest at talk shows such as Jinek and Beau and has a monthly radio section on Jeroen van Inkel’s NPO Radio 2 morning show. With his childhood friend Barend Last he’s also working on their second co-authored children’s book, titled ‘Peril in the Plant Kingdom’ (Gevaar in het Plantenrijk), set to come out in early September. Looking ahead, Mátyás hopes to continue combining research with sharing his passion for nature in the media.

Text: Brigitte Oosterhuis • Photography: Caily Bobbie Jo

AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL

A year has passed, and students, staff and parents have now had time to become familiar with AICS’s new South Campus location on Arent Janszoon Ernststraat. With the move to a new building also came ideas for a full rebranding and further expansion of the school curriculum. Key to rolling out projects, addressing school challenges and ensuring that all students feel involved is the Student Council: “We are an IB school and the whole ethos that comes with it is to listen to our students”, Jessica Morriss, Head of Community Relations, explained. Joining her were four members of the Council’s Executive Board: Shay Gabay-Hellinger, Max van’t Noordende, Mario Nakao Ramalho and Rianna Nikhade.

The Secondary Student Council is a group of students elected by the Secondary students to represent the whole student body. Serving on the Council is important for a variety of reasons, the four students said. It includes building leadership qualities and work skills, being an advocate for students and, above all, to give their peers a voice. Shay, active in the Student

Council for three years and currently its chair, highlighted some of its key tasks: “We deal with all kinds of concerns students have and work with the leadership team to improve the learning environment.” Rianna added, “Another task is to connect different bodies at the school for students, staff and parents. We want to create harmony between everyone, because after all we

are all part of one community.” Apart from these activities, the Council also plays an important role in organizing recreational activities such as game nights and school dances for all year groups.

Outreach

All four students have their own departments and focus areas. Most of their teamwork comes when organizing fun activities for students. As well as being available for their peers, the Board members also tackle a variety of different projects. “One of our focus areas”, said Max, “is outreach to keep students up to date and aware that we are here for them. We launched a student dashboard, for example, which is an internal communication website, and

Student Council: “We aim to represent and be role models for an open-minded and diverse community”

an active Instagram account.” To ensure everyone’s voice is heard and understood, the so-called communication tree came to life. Rianna explains the concept of the tree: “Each mentor group picks a class representative, and every year group also has two representatives. They all make sure any issues, concerns and ideas are brought up with the Student Council Board.” In addition to community-building within the school, there is also a major focus on service. Getting students to help, improve and raise awareness in the community outside the school, from Zuidas to greater Amsterdam and even beyond. “It’s important to activate young people’s minds and to create awareness, as well as going out and doing things like picking up litter in the neighbourhood,

lending a hand to the elderly, or holding a fundraiser for people affected by the earthquake in Turkey”, Max explained.

Blaze, the mascot!

One of their biggest projects and achievements over the past year and a half was the launch of a new school mascot. The relocation sparked the idea to rebrand the school logo and colours as a way to fire up new enthusiasm. A great deal of thought went into the mascot’s symbolism, representation and meaning – and into its unveiling. “It was really important that the new mascot represented everyone”, Shay

said. “The Student Council was involved from the first stages of making rough sketches up to deciding on the name, in which all students participated. Leading up to the big reveal, we fanned the excitement with small clues like a staged egg that started to crack after a little while, after which a claw came out.” “Dragons symbolize things like confidence and bravery and have other positive connotations”, Mario summed up, “which are things the school values too”.

“Through taking ownership and initiative, we grow as individuals and develop the tools and skills to advance towards a better future”

CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ZUIDAS: VEBEGO THE STORY OF GREAT WORK

“Our mission and vision focus on finding jobs for people who face greater challenges in the job market than others”, is how Roy Ploum introduces Vebego. Powered by this belief and commitment, with more than 6.500 people with a distance to the job market, Vebego has grown to become one of Europe’s largest and most inclusive employers. The company specifically targets a broad spectrum of job-seekers who are at a disadvantage in the labour market, whether for physical or mental health reasons. We sat down with Vebego Director Roy Ploum, Growth and Strategy Manager Sven Bloem and Paralympic and world champion Handcycling Mitch Valize to talk about building a more social working environment in Zuidas.

The focus at Vebego is on ‘Great Work’. For more than eighty years, the company has provided cleaning, landscaping, facilities management and healthcare services. For them, it’s about more than just jobs – it’s about meaningful work. They’re proud to help their people build up meaningful lives and make positive contributions to society. And these efforts haven’t gone unnoticed: last year, Vebego was named family business of the year. Furthermore, with a workforce of 40,000, their goal is to employ 30% of those at a labour market disadvantage – “can-doers, we like to call them”, Sven emphasizes – by the year 2030. “We’re a family-run company that’s always thinking about the next generation and how we can make

things better for our colleagues. We’re one of the country’s largest employers. Currently, 14% of our workforce is made up of people with labour market disadvantages, and we aim to double that figure in the coming years. We also want to get together with other companies to look at how we can enhance social connections within the district.”

Role model

For many people, role models play an important part in stimulating them to see and go after opportunities. Vebego therefore makes a point of working closely with partners that can help motivate people. Sven: “We teamed up with Mitch because we want to show

people that having a disability needn’t stop you from going for gold. Mitch’s involvement, alongside three other Paralympic athletes, has clearly been a tremendous motivator for our people.” Mitch has been tackling challenges head-on since childhood, growing up with the belief that, where there’s a will, there’s always a way. He explains, “It may seem like I became a Paralympic champion by just doing my thing, but I also had to overcome some low lows. Sharing our stories at Vebego and

witnessing the inspiration it sparks in others is incredibly rewarding. And that in turn gives me renewed motivation to get the best out of myself as well.” Above all, Vebego’s partnerships are valuable for shaping a new mindset aimed at enabling everybody to become part of the workforce as quickly as possible.

Engagement

The Netherlands boasts a stellar array of Paralympic athletes, and alongside meaningful partnerships and

sponsorships, engaging with them is another of Vebego’s priorities, Mitch enthusiastically continues. “Besides co-sponsoring the World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, they are also always working to forge connections and generate publicity.” As for himself, Roy says, “My passion and goal are to make Zuidas more inclusive. We want to collaborate with partners, addressing any concerns or hesitations they may have about working with us. By fostering greater understanding, we

can create strong connections and foster a sense of unity. If your organization is ready to explore opportunities with us, let us know! Together, we can think creatively and proactively about how to make a positive impact.” As a testament to their commitment, the Vebego team – including Mitch – will also be participating in the Zuidas Run this June.

Roy Ploum (top) Sven Bloem (left) & Mitch Valize (right)

SThree is the global staffing partner specialised in the STEM sector – short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Stefanie Kolks joined the company as a rookie and grew from there to become their Head of Real Staffing in Dubai, where she moved last November. Stefanie told us how SThree has enabled her to take full advantage of their career opportunities.

A career without limits. That’s what defines working at SThree. In early March, the company’s efforts to be the best employer for their staff was rewarded with a Great Place to Work certification. As a house of brands, SThree consists of seven specialised brands, and offers plenty of opportunities for its people to grow both from brand to brand and across borders. Stefanie Kolks joined the company in 2016, starting as a recruitment consultant at Real Staffing. “I studied hospitality management and then worked on cruise ships for seven years. One criterion when I started looking for a job in the Netherlands was that I wanted the company to

be active globally. That’s why I started at Real Staffing, part of SThree”, Stefanie recalls. She had no experience in recruitment at the time, but learned through their dedicated on-the-job training programme. “What I love about recruitment is that you’re always working with two sides. It’s not ordinary sales. You connect companies and specialists, both with their own views and needs.”

Learning and high performance culture

When an account manager role opened up at SThree, Stefanie seizes this opportunity to develop her career. This also gave her the chance to enrol in a MSC programme, next to her new role. SThree expressly encourages her employees to accelerate their careers and invests in an optimal learning and performance culture. For example, through the SThree Academy, an online platform with 16,000 training modules, and Elements, a digital onboarding programme that helps new employees to get up to speed as quickly as possible. SThree believes strongly in the power of interaction and therefore has multiple classroom trainings,

“When I started looking for a job I wanted the company to be active globally

peer-learning opportunities and a partnership programme with Nyenrode Business University. “SThree believes that you are the driver of your own success. You have to be clear about what you want, but then the options are endless.” For Stefanie, that meant working abroad after completing her MSC.

Operating across 46 locations in fourteen countries, SThree has plenty of international career options. Stefanie chose Dubai, where she started as Head of Real Staffing in November, with the objective to make it a key player in the STEM sector in this part of the world as well. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and for SThree’s encouragement. The job really suits me and the location is ideal. There’s only a slight time difference with the Netherlands, and with multiple daily flights from Dubai to Amsterdam, I can be back at a moment’s notice.”

Although Stefanie’s employer hasn’t changed, working in Dubai is a world of difference. “I’ve acclimated now, but it took longer

than expected. What I miss most is walking, bicycling and riding my scooter. All perfectly normal in Amsterdam, but here you do everything by car”, Stefanie explains. “What I like about Dubai is how open the people are. There are loads of different cultures living side by side, particularly expats, and the fact that most people didn’t grow up here means we all understand each other and connect more easily.”

Stefanie is working hard to establish Real Staffing in Dubai and is focused on the further development of this brand. “SThree offers so many opportunities. My mum is German, and I was raised bilingual. So, in the long run, being a large open market, Germany may be next on my bucket list.”

“SThree believes that you are the driver of your own success. You have to be clear about what you want, but then the options are endless”

Stefanie Kolks

Connectivity is key. You and NDI.

Connectivity allows you to reach customers, collaborate with partners, and access vital data and information. As the local KPN EEN partner for the Zuidas, NDI ICT Solutions offers you fast and reliable internet, telephony, TV and mobile telephony. So you can operate more efficiently.

Since being admitted to the Netherlands Bar four years ago, Marije van de Langemheen has fast been making waves as a litigator with Eversheds Sutherland. She’s a go-getter in every setting: in the courtroom, before clients and with Dutch and international colleagues. A series of successes in law on seizure earned her the nickname ‘Seizure Queen’, while a wealth of positive feedback won her the title of Client Excellence Champion. Her advice: “Just take the plunge!”

Since Eversheds Sutherland joined forces in 2017, the global multinational law firm since then has grown to rank among the world’s fifty biggest law firms. The Amsterdam team recently moved into Tower Ten and are thrilled with their new location. “It’s amazing to be based in an international setting. You’re surrounded by life and people”, Marije enthuses. As well as having a strong inner drive and enjoying a good challenge, Marije is also very happy with the team they’ve brought together over the past few years. “We work closely with all the teams, and there’s a great vibe. It really is fun to work at the office.”

Crypto seizure

Though her career is only just taking off, Marije has already proved herself on multiple fronts. She has exceptional knowledge and experience of civil procedural law, and notably of law of

seizure and international private law. “My choosing to join Eversheds had a lot to do with their opportunities in litigation and dispute management practices.” Most of all, she has a passion for tough challenges, new developments and technological advances. So far, her biggest claim to fame is a ground-breaking crypto-sector seizure case: “Two years ago, we decided to dig into case law around AI and seizure of cloudbased information, which was uncharted territory at the time. Our conclusion was that seizures under high enough payment penalties in real money will automatically get people to cooperate in giving access to crypto wallets. This approach proved successful. To see our article on crypto seizures cited by the Court of Amsterdam in a recent ruling, has been the most rewarding.” The speed and challenge of complex seizure cases is what make this the most exciting branch of the law, Marije says.

Seen and appreciated

“There’s always some trial and error along the way”, Marije acknowledges, “but the feeling of being seen and appreciated is really special”. She has been cited as the practice’s top talent and clients are also filled with praise for her approachability, clarity, no-nonsense attitude and consistent fulfilment of agreements and deadlines. Her title of Client Excellence Champion was also backed up by foreign partners. Looking ahead, Marije says, “I’d like to continue growing and developing within Eversheds Sutherland. It’s a great firm with lots of great examples of women in leadership, and that is absolutely brilliant.”

Marije van de Langemheen

“Give it all you’ve got and don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territory”

Marije van de Langemheen

- Senior Associate, Litigation & Dispute Management at Eversheds Sutherland

IMA: “Lifelong learning is a critical capability and goal people should strive for’’

Early April marked a fresh start for IMA, when Michael (Mike) DePrisco took the reins as its new Global President and CEO. His 30-year career has been wholly devoted to working in purpose and impact-driven professions, focused on helping individuals improve their personal and professional career objectives through education and learning. Joining IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) as President and CEO therefore wasn’t just a natural next step for Mike, but also represents a great opportunity for the organization.

IMA is dedicated to advancing the management accounting profession by offering its members opportunities to continue learning and advancing throughout their careers. During a recent visit to the Amsterdam office, Mike made time to share his views on the future of the organization and profession and about challenges the world is currently facing.

Why is becoming the President and CEO of IMA such a good fit for you?

“I have been an enterprise leader for some time and was looking for an organization that was global and focused on learning, certification and professional development in business. To me, IMA fit the bill: the organization is supporting and navigates critical components of business and organizational performance. We need strong leaders in these areas to be able to solve challenges in business, whether it be risk management, data analytics, digital reporting, or regulation. IMA’s mission resonates with me. It has a tremendous amount of volunteers around the world and the team has a strong family feeling culture.”

Earning the CMA certification:

• Opens doors to new career opportunities at multinational companies

• Helps you secure a seat at the leadership table

• Ensures mastery of key financial management skills needed by CFOs

As President and CEO, what’s your personal goal for IMA?

“These first thirty days, I have been immersing myself in IMA –talking to our team, our volunteers, and travelling to different regions of the world where we operate. It is important to see where there are opportunities to improve, and most of all, how to ensure the long-term relevance and sustainability of the organization for the next 100 years. Our practitioners play a critical role in making businesses successful. Besides that, I really want us to be laserfocused on providing member value. We owe it to them to optimize their experience and to listen, respond, and create value with things they need to work on as professionals. Also, every country has its own specifics, so we try to adapt to the local needs as much as we can. It’s a big goal, and it will take some time to get there, but I think it’s critically important for an organization like ours. The conference IMA just hosted in Amsterdam is a good example of

CMAs aren’t just seen, They’re recognized.

how we’re involving members and others in our activities. Specialists in different fields got to speak about ideas, innovation and challenges we are facing in order to learn from each other.”

In your own view, why is it so important to focus on continuing education in the management accounting profession, and other professions?

“Lifelong learning is a critical capability and goal people should strive for. There are some big challenges that we need to work together as a society to solve – things like climate change, geopolitical and economic issues, education, poverty. That calls for individuals who are knowledgeable and informed about these issues and committed to working together across the world and across cultures and differences to find solutions. In terms of learning, it’s important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because change is inevitable.”

What

future

plans

are

in the pipeline for IMA?

“Any future plans will focus on maintaining the CMA certification as the gold standard in the field of management accounting. In addition to that, we need to look at how we could expand our portfolio by introducing some new offerings and providing new value beyond the CMA for those who already have it. We also have a great CSCA certification, focused on

strategy and looking across an enterprise. Lastly, younger professionals may not be ready for a CMA, so we will look to what we can offer them early in their careers to get basic foundational knowledge, putting them on the road towards a lifelong career in management accounting and finance. IMA already offers an opportunity for students to participate in a global case

competition with universities from all over the world, and we also have a scholarship that we offer to universities, which is a process, but a great opportunity for students.” Institute

Michael (Mike) DePrisco

SARAH’S DREAM CAME TRUE AT VAN LANSCHOT KEMPEN

Living in Amsterdam and working in sustainable finance has been a long-time dream for Sarah Stols (25). Originally from Durban, South Africa, Sarah studied in Cape Town and moved to the Netherlands in 2020 to do a master’s in Sustainable Finance at Maastricht University. That’s where she first heard about Van Lanschot Kempen, an independent wealth manager dedicated to preserve and create wealth sustainably. She is currently an investment management trainee here.

“I am very passionate about sustainability and finance, especially where those two fields meet”, Sarah says. “I really wanted to be at the forefront of where the industry is transitioning, and I think the Netherlands are very progressive with that. Van Lanschot Kempen is a big player in that transition, with high sustainability ambitions. And it’s all happening in Amsterdam – I love this city. I can honestly say that my dream came true.”

Managing people’s money

Sarah started the 16-month traineeship more than a year ago. To put it simply, investment managers help manage institutions money and invest it according to the clients’ preferences and risk appetite. As a trainee, Sarah rotates to four different departments within investment management. Sustainability plays a major role in every project Sarah has done, making her a happy trainee.

“Van Lanschot Kempen is an active wealth manager”, Sarah explains. “For all the investments we do, there’s ESG screening (Environmental, Social, Governance) to make sure that the companies we invest in meet the criteria that we’ve set. If we identify that they don’t, we can help those companies reach them. We’ve also got strict exclusion policies, for instance when there’s a bad controversy on topics like human rights. Currently I’m working on our Global Impact Pool, which is a multi-asset pool that invests in impact managers around the world. I’m really enjoying that.”

Learning from the team

Sarah is currently on her third rotation which is in the Manager Research Solutions department. The sustainability ambitions of Van Lanschot Kempen were what initially attracted Sarah, now it’s also the people. “I really enjoyed every rotation”, she says. “As as trainee, I’m here to learn and to meaningfully contribute to

the team. Everyone’s been really good at dedicating their time to teaching me. I love my colleagues. They are inspiring, intelligent and passionate people. The company culture is warm and welcoming. I moved to a new country and started my career here, and it felt good from the very start.”

And on top of all that, Sarah’s dream gets even better. “I’ve been offered a fulltime job in the team I’m currently in. Obviously, I gladly accepted and I’m excited about starting with them soon.”

Sarah Stols

FINANCE Young Professionals Group matches finance sector businesses with talent

For eighteen years, the Young Professionals Group has been specialized in the recruitment, secondment and development of young professionals and university graduates starting out in their careers. Company founder Michel Maaswinkel and co-owner of Young Professionals Group Floor van Ligten explain their approach and offer some tips to young professionals looking to get on the path to growth.

The Young Professionals Group consists of two divisions: Young Financials and Young Analytics. Recruitment of interim professionals (freelance) is included. Both divisions target finance sector companies (such as ABN Amro, ING, Rabobank, KPMG, Big Four, pension funds and investment management banks). Young Financials specializes in highly skilled finance data professionals. The Young Analytics branch focuses on recruiting talented data analytics specialists. In February 2023 Greenberg Capital acquired a majority share in Young Professionals Group. “We want to grow to the next stage together”, explains Young Professionals Group founder Michel Maaswinkel. “That way, we can boost our appeal for candidates and, by building a larger talent pool, serve companies even better.”

Linking supply and demand

Young Professionals Group’s secondment is all about putting the right talent in the right job. Crucial, of course, is that both the company and the candidate are satisfied. With job-seeking young professionals becoming increasingly critical of prospective employers, this can be quite a puzzle. “Flexible working hours and the option to work remotely are a must for today’s young professionals”, notes Floor van Ligten. “They want to be able

to work from home or even abroad, if need be. They also value having a personal development plan and prospects for career advancement. A pleasant work setting, nice colleagues and an engaged manager are also important.”

Since the coronavirus pandemic, Michel says they have been seeing a noticeable push for more freedom. “Many companies are still grappling with how to organize that. But people don’t necessarily know how to handle this autonomy that early in their careers. It’s important to get expectations clear on both sides from the outset as well as organize in-person meetings now and then.”

Seize your opportunities

For new grads, the job market can be pretty overwhelming. Companies have a hard time pulling in talent, but finding a job and an employer that fit can be equally tricky for first-time jobseekers. Floor underlines that young professionals need to be critical during the application process. “Ask questions before saying yes. About things like the company’s priorities for the coming year, projects in the pipeline or departments you’ll be dealing with. Don’t let yourself be overawed by a big name and look critically first at whether that company is really the right match for you.”

And then, once you do find your employment match, invest some time in familiarizing yourself with the job and in your own growth. “The pace of everything is very fast these days, and I see that reflected in the job market as well. Young professionals are more inclined to switch employers in search of a fresh challenge. But that’s a pity”, Floor says, “because if you give yourself some more time, you can significantly deepen your development.”

Michel points out that the ageing workforce is also opening new doors for young professionals. “There is no shortage of opportunities, but you do have to be proactive. Doing your job is important, but you also have to look beyond that. Are there any processes you could improve, for example? That way, you add value to the company and can stay ahead of the pack.”

Floor van Ligten & Michel Maaswinkel

Text: Céline Boute & Lysanne Wilkens • Photography: Caily Bobbie Jo

We acknowledge that a diverse team performs better

Excellence, Creative, Team, Integrity, Respect and Responsible: these are Taylor Wessing’s core values. Recently, the global law firm showcased these values to the world in a spectacular recruitment video that went viral on LinkedIn. HR Manager Katherine van Otterdijk and Recruitment Specialist Anne van Hilten filled us in on various initiatives that Taylor Wessing is using to attract and retain talent.

“Our team is dedicated to keep pace with the way the world is evolving”, Katherine explains. “The job market is fiercely competitive and evidently finding talent starts with your recruitment and selection process. We want to showcase our company culture and position ourselves as a preferred employer. To achieve this, we are constantly seeking opportunities to connect with new talent. ”

Finding new talent

Anne is in charge of finding new talent for the firm’s offices in Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels. As a recruitment specialist, Anne conveys the Taylor Wessing culture to new potentials and during recruitment events. “At Taylor Wessing we’re not just colleagues, we’re a community. We recognise each other’s achievements and support and mmotivate one and other..”

Anonymous applications

A fundamental part of the recruitment process at Taylor Wessing is that job applications are anonymous. All personal details are taken out of CVs and covering

letters. This even involves removing specific phrases and formulations that could hint at a person’s identity. This includes feminized job titles, for example, which are common in Dutch.

“At Taylor Wessing we are committed to making a valuable contribution to society and we acknowledge that a diverse team performs better”, Katherine underscores. “Everybody has unconscious biases to some extent, even during the initial candidate selection. By anonymising our hiring procedure we ensure that selection is not guided by bias. Maybe even more importantly, though, is that it broadcasts our approach to diversity. This approach is not only important to us, but the many positive responses we have received show that it is also valuable for candidates. Even just ensuring a more diverse pool of candidates is a major leap forward.”

Anonymous job applications are only one step in the firm’s bigger diversity and inclusion ambitions. And those efforts don’t stop after candidates are hired.

Katherine: “Among other things, we offer fully paid additional partner leave to encourage an equal division of care duties at home, which in turn ultimately promotes equal opportunities on the job market as well.”

Always learning

Every year, Taylor Wessing shines an extra spotlight on one of its six core values. This year, it’s Excellence. A deliberate choice, notes Anne. “We’re in the process of expanding our Learning & Development program, called ‘Always Learning’. We offer everyone, irrespective of job or experience, opportunities for continuous development and tailormade learning pathways. Those can cover anything, from specific legal expertise to soft skills. We are always questioning, innovating and learning. We challenge ourselves to be an exceptional firm to work for and to collaborate with.”

Anne van Hilten & Katherine van Otterdijk

GROW, WONDER & ENJOY

A brand-new child-friendly oasis has just opened in Amsterdam: the WOW Family Center. This small-scale space welcomes the whole family to create unique and meaningful moments together. A place that supports the growth of little ones and adults on a two-way journey of learning.

Growing together

The WOW Family Center is for both parents and children. For children, it’s a space for endless exploration and discovery. For parents, it’s a place to meet other families and take parent and child workshops in a casual setting. Above all, a place that encourages self-expression and development. The WOW Family Center hosts a range of after-school workshops for kids aged 0 to 12 years, designed to stimulate creativity through learning experiences.

The creative workshops for ‘Little Makers’ (1 to 12 years) activate the senses with everything from painting projects and crafting activities to sculpting and light

experiments. Or cultivate your child’s scientific mind with a ‘Mini Professors’ (4 to 9 years) workshop in which scientific principles are explained through fun, easy-to-understand experiments. All of the workshops help your child develop new skills and an appreciation for the world around them. WOW already offers afterschool clubs at many schools in Zuid and is ready to expand.

Sensory classes for babies and toddlers

‘Baby Sensory’ and ‘Toddler Sense’ offer sensory developmental classes for babies and parents. Enjoy music, movement, dance and many other diverse activities together with other parents and kids. Get play inspiration to continue the fun at home!

It’s also a chance to get together with other parents over coffee and lunch in the Little Café. To enjoy some time out for yourself, to refuel, socialize and unwind while your little one runs around in the indoor playground.

Holiday camps

During regular school holidays, the WOW Family Center organizes bilingual (English and Dutch) holiday camps for children aged 4 to 9 years. WOW offers children a varied programme packed with WOW’s full range of activities, from art projects to scientific experiments. Let children play, dance, jump and discover. They have something fun for every child!

WOW Family Center Churchill-laan 86 1078 EL Amsterdam 0641811260

www.wowfamilycenter.nl wowfamilycenter

Text: Brigitte Oosterhuis • Photography: Joanna Janczak

GET READY FOR THE NEW GENERATION OF SECRETARIES

Knowledge-sharing and acquisition for management support staff – from Boomer to Gen Z

53 years ago, the secretarial profession was very different to what it is today. Indeed, the management support field has changed tremendously over the years and will continue to do so. The NVDM is the biggest Dutch national association for all management support professions and unites everyone working in the field, from secretaries and event managers to executive assistants, virtual assistants and office managers. It also facilitates members from various disciplines and regions to share their specialized knowledge and discuss sector issues. NVDM has over 625 members and business partners spread over eight regions.

The management support sector is rapidly developing. “That makes continual self-development vital”, asserts NVDM President Jolanda Maasakkers. Her organization stimulates and helps its members to do just that. “Whether in terms of personal development, enlarging your professional knowledge or expanding your network. And, if possible, always incorporating an element of fun.”

Among the activities the NVDM organizes are online webinars delving into key themes and in-person gatherings to talk shop and network with fellow professionals. “As an NVDM member,

Jolanda Maasakkers’

Mandy van Schaik

you’re spurred to continue developing”, affirms Monica Kuppens, regional manager for Noord-Holland and Flevoland. “Digitization, automation and the evolution of AI make it impossible to stand still. The NVDM keeps you updated about recent developments and shares knowledge about how to integrate them.”

Knowledge sharing

The association hosts six regional meetings per year where people working in the field can share ideas. Besides that, NVDM offers specific courses within their Academy and hosts national seminars (online and offline) like the online ‘Energy talk’ every first

working day of the month, adds Vice-President Mandy van Schaik, “when we share knowledge about a relevant topic, often followed by a workshop. The topics range from new features in Microsoft Teams to personal development, and everything in between. Our governing board and regional team members are made up of volunteers who work in the field themselves, so they’re good judges of the types of issues you run into as a secretary and what you might need.”

The whole management support sector has undergone some big changes over the past decade, Monica notes. “Fifty years ago, an executive secretary was a seasoned professional with a long career behind them. These days, you can advance a lot faster. There is less hierarchy and you’re on a more equal footing with your boss. The job has definitely changed over the years.”

The next generation

Currently, Mandy is working to draw a younger target group into the NVDM. “I see substantial differences between this younger generation and those 35 and up. The lifestyle is different, ideas are different, and to tune into that I’m mapping out what this target group is after and how we can best connect with young professionals. So, if there are young management support professionals in the Amsterdam region reading this who feel like ‘this is me’, I would love to get in touch to trade ideas!”

Jolanda urges all management support staff to join the NVDM. “The key advantage of membership is that you’re always up on the latest sector developments and can share experiences with fellow professionals in a low-key setting. And we give you positive encouragement to think constructively about your career development.”

Text: Lysanne Wilkens • Photography: Hazel Ling Photography

Monica Kuppens

SUSTAINABILITY

“Above all, I hope to be pleasantly surprised by innovative ideas.”

For the second edition of the Zuidas Sustainability Award, the organizers managed to recruit the distinguished Dr. Andy van den Dobbelsteen to join the judging panel. Andy van den Dobbelsteen is professor of Climate Design and Sustainability, as well as sustainability coordinator at TU Delft, where he’s been teaching students about sustainable construction engineering for almost thirty years. “My principal mission is to transmit knowledge and information and show them all the sustainable solutions that are out there.”

With former Minister for the Environment Jacqueline Cramer no longer on the judging panel, the award’s organizers (Hello Zuidas, Green Business Club and the Amsterdam-Zuidas district) went in search of a suitable replacement. They are delighted that Prof. van den Dobbelsteen will be lending his expert vision and climate and sustainability experience to the panel.

Urban nature

“My work concerns the whole spectrum of sustainability. That starts with energy-neutral design, climate adaptation and circular construction. Fortunately, biodiversity and nature-inclusive urban

environments are gaining increasing attention. We – engineers, too – really need to think hard and differently about bringing more nature into our cities”, notes Prof. van den Dobbelsteen.

Looking at Zuidas, he observes that several features stand out. “Zuidas has a high density of stone. To me, that says mountainous ecotype. It’s a concrete environment with a lot of tall buildings. Vertical nature such as façade planting and nesting boxes would fit well with that, cooling the area down and helping to retain rainwater. We have to set our sights on more than just bricks and mortar and square footage.”

Artist impression of the SUM project in Wuppertal with printed vertical solar panels

World-class

When asked which building is the most pioneering in Zuidas, Prof. van den Dobbelsteen doesn’t have to think long. “CIRCL, but I’m sad to hear it’s being torn down. So, then I’d have to say Valley designed by Winy Maas from MVRDV and landscaped by Piet Oudolf. That’s a real world-class building. Architecturally, it’s very striking. Urban nature is a deliberate part of the design. It’s a highrise, yet with green terraces on the inside.”

Energy-neutral design

Nature is playing an increasingly important role in designs, according to Prof. van den Dobbelsteen. Take Valley, he says. “It looks like a rock formation: a mountain cut by a valley. Maas designed the building to be a large, overgrown green place. I hope to see more of this type of buildings built in Zuidas. It reminds me of the Bosco Verticale tower in Milan, which has trees planted all around the exterior. That planting provides natural air conditioning. We’ll have to wait and see what the climate gains are here. The vegetation still needs to grow, but it would be brilliant to measure that in time. I’m very curious about how Valley rates on the whole equation of energy, water, materials and nature.

More is better

All in all, the professor thinks there is plenty of room to do better. “Zuidas is an urban heat island. The stone heats up, there’s not much vegetation, not much habitat for wildlife and not much flowing water. At the moment, the only green oasis is CIRCL. Zuidas can do better! Amsterdam-Zuid and Amstelveen are reasonably green areas, with biodiversity, cooling and insulation. But developers tend to find that scary and risky. Even though

more vegetation makes it more appealing for users as well. I hope the City of Amsterdam will lay down some serious sustainability requirements for new tower blocks.”

Sustainability Award

Prof. van den Dobbelsteen is looking forward to seeing all the entries and initiatives in Zuidas. “Above all, I hope to be pleasantly surprised by innovative ideas. The bar is set high!” Laughing, he continues, “I am going to be tough on developers in Zuidas. I’m interested to see their views on sustainability and am hoping for some original ideas. Zuidas has lots of façades and few roofs, but loads of opportunities. We could imagine Zuidas as a forest and approach it in a more ecological fashion.”

Future

The professor has a clear message for property developers: “We need to start thinking as if it’s 2050! The transition to energy-neutral, climate adaptive and circular urban locations is progressing way too slowly. Let’s try putting up buildings that are made for that future. That’s the mentality I want to see among builders and developers.”

Text: Gordana Todorovic • Portrait Photo: Heike Lachmann & Photo Valley: Marcel Steinbach

Read more about the 2023 Zuidas Sustainability Award here: www.zuidasduurzaam.nl/ To nominate a company or initiative, go to: www.zuidasduurzaam.nl/inzendingen or scan the QR code.

Andy van den Dobbelsteen

Valley

INTRODUCING THE FIRST PARALEGAL NETWORK FOR THE BENELUX!

Did you know there are more than 1 million paralegals active worldwide, including a large number in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg?

Paralegal Network Benelux is a new knowledge network and professional organization in one. Our network’s

primary mission is to provide career support for paralegal professionals and help them stay future-proof as the legal world evolves and changes.

The Paralegal Network joins and connects paralegals and provides crucial information and training. It is also a wonderful platform for meeting colleagues who work or live in another country. For example, at the Paralegal Day organized annually by Paralegal Network Benelux to bring paralegals from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg together for a day packed with valuable information and workshops.

National Paralegal Day has been a yearslong fixture in the USA as a day to celebrate and show appreciation for the job

paralegals do. According to the National Today website: National Paralegal Day occurs annually on October 23. The day honors the work of paralegals and legal assistants in law offices throughout the United States.

Paralegal Network Benelux is now also celebrating this holiday across the Benelux, with the first edition coming up in October this year!

To celebrate the foundation of Paralegal Network Benelux, we are holding three free gatherings in June 2023 (one each in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg). During these gatherings, we’ll also outline how the network serves legal support professions. Plus, there’s a free Paralegal Goodie Bag for all attendees!

Paralegal Network Benelux founder

Malika Maanani is the founder of Paralegal Network Benelux. With more than thirty years’ international experience as a paralegal, she has worked in America and various countries within EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). “As a paralegal, I know from personal experience what a multifaceted profession this is. What matters is knowing what you’re good at and what you enjoy.”

The gatherings will kick off in Zuidas (Amsterdam) on 8 June. Thereafter in Luxembourg on June 23rd and in Brussels on June 25th. Places are limited, so don’t wait to sign up to take part in these free events! www.paralegalnetworkbenelux.com

Malika Maanani

Photography: Anouk Sneller

MOBILITY DEVELOP A NEW SKILL, A NEW HABIT, OR SIMPLY BE INSPIRED WHILST AVOIDING TRAFFIC JAMS

The young Venus and Serena Williams would set their daily alarm at 6 am to hit tennis balls before going to school. The most successful people are those who are most curious and dedicate their spare time in the pursuit of learning. Every new habit or skill takes discipline, but taking the first step is most important.

ACTIVATIONS

Crowne Plaza: 10% discount on the bill during the live music evenings on every Thursday.

MONTHJOINUSINTHE OFJUNE

Join us in the month of June and help your employees and colleagues to discover the magic of developing a new skill, a new habit, or just be inspired and have plain old fun. The best thing about it? You can all do this in the time that you would otherwise spend extra during the traffic jams on your commute. www.vanatotzuidas.nl/jam

RIALTO VU

Toot! Toot! Park your work and traffic stress at the Rialto VU film theater on De Boelelaan.

On presentation of the digital menu (on vanatotzuidas.nl/jam) workers in the Zuidas can visit film screenings with a discount at Rialto VU throughout the month of June.

Culture café Bar Boele offers the ideal place to refuel before the movie, to bring a drink to the theater, or to blow off some steam afterwards!

Lebkov: 10% discount on the ‘breakfast deal’ ordered before 8 am.

De Uitsmijter: breakfast deal (croissant, fresh orange juice and coffee) for € 7.50 between 7:30 and 8 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Frans Otten Stadion: five-euro discount on a padel-, tennis- and/or squash court on weekdays between 7 and 9 am.

Rialto VU: go to the movies from 4 pm to 8 pm for € 10,00 (instead of € 12,00).

For more information and even more fun deals and events, visit: www.vanatotzuidas.nl/jam/ or scan the QR code.

Hello Zuidas hosts well-attended

HOSPITALITY & RETAIL ROUNDTABLE for

local business community

“Swimming in Boelegracht, vibing in a club, lounging on the square and jogging on the roof... Those are just some of things I’d love to do in Zuidas!” With these and more intriguing ideas, Tony Wijntuin of WYNE Strategy & Innovation roused and inspired local business owners during the recent membersonly Hospitality and Retail Committee meeting at Lebkov & Sons in Zuidas.

For this first gathering of 2023, Hello Zuidas invited representatives from the City of Amsterdam to discuss a number of questions. Such as: What are current rules for catering operators and terraces? What municipal subsidies are available for SMEs? Elsbeth Boer, municipal policy adviser on Public Order and Safety, and Rosita Roosblad, Flex & Economy officer for the Amsterdam-Zuid district, were in attendance to shed light on these topics.

Central connectivity district

Hello Zuidas also invited hospitality and retail strategist Tony Wijntuin to speak at the meeting. For the occasion, he put together a spirited presentation setting out his vision for Zuidas.

According to Tony, Zuidas needs to consider its positioning and evolve from a central business district into a central connectivity district. “Cities can only remain viable places to live in the future by transforming monofunctional areas into locations where a wide variety of different functions come together.”

He offered some bold suggestions for Zuidas, from a nightclub to a temporary museum in vacant retail space to a beach club on Gershwinplein. “A good mix of functions attracts vendors, owners and users. That generates more visitors, long-term enterprise and realistic rental income.”

Tony Wijntuin

ZUIDAS BEER

Jesse Gosse and Remco Kappelhof of Zuidas Bier have been home-brewing for over ten years now. With support from Hello Zuidas, they launched Zuidas Bier in 2017. Before the pandemic hit, they were selling five different brews in at least thirty locations in and outside Zuidas. They were stocked at the local Albert Heijn and Wine Boutique and on tap at Market 33, Crowne Plaza and Novotel, to name a few. Covid-19 brought all that to a grinding halt. During the meeting, the partners appealed to the Zuidas business community: “We’re calling on fellow operators and investors to help us restart Zuidas Bier. All the groundwork is in place, from recipes to labels.”

Interested in helping Jesse and Remco bring back their Zuidas brews? Please send an email to Angela Ham at servicepoint@hellozuidas.com.

With official business concluded, it was time for socializing and drinks. On behalf of Hello Zuidas, Gordana Todorovic (Hospitality & Retail Committee chair) and Angela Ham (secretary) wish to thank all those who attended, with a special thanks to Grardie Akkerhuis of Lebkov & Sons for hosting the event.

Text and photography: Gordana Todorovic

Gordana Todorovic, Grardie Akkerhuis & Angela Ham

Jeroen Bende & Jasper van Wieren Calvin Choi, Danielle Weeling & Linda Schot

Remco Kappelhof, Jesse Gosse & Julia Bron

45% of organizations make workers chip in for pricey courses

Notably, 79% of workers expect their employer will foot the whole bill

Have your eye on an expensive course or training? Then be prepared to pay for part of it out of your own pocket. 45% of Dutch employers feel this is perfectly acceptable. By contrast, 8 in 10 workers (79%) expect their employer to cover the full costs of additional training. And the personal investment goes beyond money: workers also have to sacrifice spare time for professional development. Almost half of employers (45%) expect employees to upskill in their own time.

Almost 1 in 3 organizations (30%) designate no specific time at all for independent learning and training. At companies that do, set aside training time, 35% offer a maximum of 8 hours a month to learn on the clock. At 14%, this figure is 8 to 12 hours monthly, and at 8% it’s 12-16 hours. A mere 1 in 20 companies (5%) give employees 16 or more hours for training. And 8% have no idea. These findings come out of the 2023 Studytube Learning & Development Monitor, an annual survey conducted by Motivaction/Sparkey for Studytube.

“It seems absurd”

Previously, the L&D Monitor revealed that 40% of organizations are passing up over half of the funds made available under the Dutch government’s training scheme. This latest survey finds that nearly half of organizations see no problem in requiring employees to shell out for pricey courses and training themselves, and to do them

in their time off. Healthcare organizations are most likely to expect employees to help pay for expensive trainings (47%), followed by government (44%), business services and education organizations (both 41%). Those working in education are least likely to expect a training allowance from their employer. However, 66% of this group expressed a clear preference to have the full costs of professional development covered by their employer, trailed at some distance by workers in the healthcare (75%), government (76%) and business services (81%) sectors.

Education workers train most in spare time

Expending free time on training is expected particularly by employers in education (57% in 2022, 58% in 2021) and business services (53% in 2022, 47% in 2021). Among healthcare organizations, 42% also expect employees to learn in their own time, up from 52% in 2021. In contrast, government

employees are least likely to spend their spare time on extra training (33% in 2022, 42% in 2021).

About the 2023 Studytube Learning & Development Monitor

The 2023 Studytube Learning & Development Monitor is the latest edition of an annual market survey conducted among professionals (N=1440: HR professionals, department managers and employees) by Motivaction/Sparkey for Studytube. The L&D Monitor provides a snapshot of the state of learning and development at Dutch organizations. Data used in compiling the 2023 Studytube Learning & Development Monitor were gathered via an online survey carried out from 1 November 2022 through 11 November 2022.

No allowance for professional development? Or do you have to make a case to get your training covered? We’ve got some valuable tips to help you convince your manager. Scan the QR code to read more! (in Dutch)

NEW MEMBERS

Hello Zuidas welcomes the following new members

INFUSION CLINICS

Sector: Health & vitality

Number of employees: 6

Link with Zuidas: High-end clinic based in Valley and specialized in custom IV vitamin-drips. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: To connect with the Zuidas business community and help companies energize their workforce. Heavy workload? Dealing with fatigue? A healthy workforce has a higher performance rate, and Infusion Clinics can enhance it with customized treatment plans for any number of employees.

KRNWTR+ | ZEREAU DRINKS

Sector: Beverages - Employees: 10

Link with Zuidas: KRNWTR+ | Zereau Drinks supplies water taps and syrup bars to numerous clients in Zuidas. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Our aim is to turn people in Zuidas intothe most sustainable water and lemonade drinkers in Amsterdam. With taps connected directly to the water mains, we cut out unnecessary packaging and transport and supply tap water in its purest form.

CYRILLE VAN HOOF PRESENTATION COACH

Sector: Coaching & education

Employees: 1

Link with Zuidas: Cyrille coaches professionals in Zuidas (occasionally from the Green Business Club garden pavilion), with a focus on presentation skills. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: To get involved in and keep up with the local community. As a presentation coach, Cyrille helps train people to speak with confidence and impact, and above all to be their authentic selves towards others.

NEWGROUND LAW

Sector: Real estate law

Employees: 30+, 7 partners

Link with Zuidas: NewGround Law is a top, niche law firm based in Symphony Offices on Gustav Mahlerplein. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Like Hello Zuidas, NewGround Law has a strong sense of community and promotes participation, collaboration and shared social values. We also have several clients and colleagues in Zuidas and are involved in many local real estate developments and transactions.

ROBERT CLINICS

Sector: Aesthetics & skin care

Employees: 7

Link with Zuidas: High-end clinic based in Valley and specialized in injectables and skin therapy. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: The art of natural beauty is an art for everyone. Zuidas is a very mixed community ,bringing together a wide range of individuals. Robert Clinics enhances the natural beauty features you already have to create the best version of you.

HOPPTER

Sector: Fresh bread delivery - Employees: 9

Link with Zuidas: Hoppter brings a delightful variety of artisan breads straight to numerous offices in the Zuidas area, brightening up workdays with daily or weekly deliveries. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Guided by the motto of ‘Elevating office culture with artisan bread’, our mission is to help Zuidas offices satisfy their employees’ hunger for wholesome, freshly-baked bread, which we can deliver between 9 am and 12 noon.

HOFF AMSTERDAM

Sector: Flexible office space - Employees: 12

Link with Zuidas: HOFF is the largest tenant of the WTC Amsterdam. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: HOFF Amsterdam offers 5-star offices and meeting rooms in Tower Ten of the WTC Amsterdam. We joined Hello Zuidas to connect area businesses with our mix of flexible office products and find out what other companies can offer guests of HOFF.

STICHTING ZUIDAS ART PROJECTS, ZAP

Sector: Non-profit art foundation - Employees None. 3 board members, 3 advisory board members

Link with Zuidas: ZAP is a non-profit foundation established by local residents and people active in Zuidas. Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Being a Hello Zuidas member is an excellent way to connect with local companies and partner on creating art projects in local public spaces. Together, we can make Zuidas an even more beautiful place to live, work and get together.

MEMO BOARD

INQUISITIVE NOSYBIRDS DISCOVER ZUIDAS

The boldly coloured Nosybirds, about the size of a mouse, were on a mission to explore Zuidas. An initiative of Dutch Amsterdambased artist Jos Brölmann, Nosybirds remind people to take a moment to unplug from workaday concerns and look around. He came up with the idea in response to the non-stop flood of information we are all exposed to and the difficulty we have shaking off ingrained habits. The small Nosybirds in cheerful colours are the quirky bearers of an important message. Get a bird for yourself, or give one as a gift!

ARTZUID: SUMMER ART ROUTE through Amsterdam-Zuid

ARTZUID is the Netherlands’ premier sculpture biennial. For a period of four months every other year, fifty prominent sculptures by major Dutch and internationally acclaimed artists are erected along Amsterdam-Zuid’s treelined Apollolaan and Minervalaan. Artzuid selects museum-quality pieces with the mission of creating new spaces to bring people together and make art accessible to everyone. Now in its eighth edition, Artzuid is being organized from 20 May through 24 September this year, with a collection curated by Jasper Krabbé.

TULIPS FOR ALL OF AMSTERDAM

ROPE FOR HOPE

Every year, the Tulip Festival brightens city streets throughout Amsterdam for the whole of April. This colourful salute to spring is celebrated under the motto of ‘A tulip for every Amsterdammer’. From the neighbourhoods of Noord to Zuidoost and from Oost to Nieuw-West, all of Amsterdam is painted with the exuberant Dutch bulb. Visitors to Amsterdamse Bos and the Zuidas Botanic Garden were delighted by a variety of different tulip types. Did you get to see them, too?

THE SPORTIEST PARTY IN ZUIDAS

Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, daring you to dive from the iconic, and tallest, World Trade Center building in the Netherlands: WTC Amsterdam. To take part in this abseiling challenge, you have to raise as much money as possible to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in granting the wishes of children with serious or life-threatening illnesses. This second edition of the Rope for Hope is on 9 June 2023. Registration is open now, so don’t wait: sign up on the Dutch Make-A-Wish website.

Spring has finally sprung! And with a few rays of sunshine and a light breeze, heading out for a jog need no longer be a chore. Which makes it the ideal time to start training for the Zuidas Run. Sign up now to run with your colleagues! After all, what’s more fun than active team building? And after crossing the 5K or 10K finish line, you can keep stepping to the music with dancing and drinks as Gustav Mahlerplein hosts Zuidas’ sportiest party of the year!

19fromCT /min

CARSHARING IN AMSTERDAM

1. Download the SIXT app and register

2. Choose your vehicle on the map

3. Unlock it through the app and off you go!

Download the SIXT app now

Zuidas is best known as Amsterdam’s business district, chock-a-block with skyscrapers and scores of offices. More recently, however, the district has grown into a veritable urban neighbourhood and a great place to live and hang out. Many businesses have also discovered Zuidas, and with their arrival, the district has added a wide range of services and amenities, including shops, schools, fitness centres and places to drink and dine. Powering each of these establishments are entrepreneurs and employees with their own special, personal stories that we’re eager to share with you.

MEET THE...

Student of labour law at the University of Amsterdam

NISHAAT HUSSAIN

How diverse and inclusive is Zuidas?

Nishaat Hussain (23) is studying for a master’s degree in labour law at the University of Amsterdam with a scholarship from the Dentons law firm in Zuidas. Though initially hesitant to make the transition to Zuidas, now Nishaat feels totally in her element.

What brought you to Zuidas?

“I was approached by a recruiter from Dentons on LinkedIn about the Dentons Diverse Excellence Scholarship. I wasn’t that keen on the idea of coming to Zuidas at first. I had a certain picture in my mind of what it was like and that I wouldn’t fit in here. But when I talked to my mum about it, her thinking was ‘what have you got to lose?’, so I applied after all. There was a selection process

and that ultimately resulted in a scholarship.”

What is the scholarship for?

“It covers tuition fees for the Master of Laws for one year, plus a traineeship and participation in Dentons’ mentor scheme. The firm set up the scholarship with the intent to create a more dynamic and inclusive workplace, specifically by encouraging and attracting promising law students from all backgrounds.”

Did you feel at home in Zuidas from the start?

“In the beginning I felt like I was treated a bit differently. For example, I might be the only person in a group addressed in English, even though I was at a Dutch event. That sort of thing doesn’t happen at

Dentons, I’m glad to say, and they’ve put paid to all my preconceptions. Dentons really want to attract diverse talent and hold lots of informal events where everyone can be themselves.”

What is your view of Zuidas now?

“Now, I see lots of pros instead of preconceptions. I was sceptical at first as I wasn’t necessarily aspiring to a career in Zuidas. But I no longer see it as a bastion of white men. My team consists largely of women of all ages. And, now, I am actually set on a law career in Zuidas. Dentons changed my view about that completely. As of August, I will be working as a working student Employment at Hogan Lovells. Besides, Dentons just announced their new winner for the Dentons Scholarship: Aïmane Akkani.”

Nishaat Hussain

Luxe wonen aan de Oude Rijn in Leiden

Het project “De Molen” is uniek en biedt de mogelijkheid om te wonen op loopafstand van de historische stad Leiden en direct aan het open vaarwater van de Oude Rijn. Met een eigen ligplaats voor de deur vaar je vanaf je steiger zo de binnenstad in. De ruime waterwoningen van 228m2 hebben een breedte van wel 7,30m en zijn op de 1e verdieping voorzien van drie slaapkamers en twee (casco) badkamers. De 2e verdieping heeft een dakterras en biedt mogelijkheid tot het maken van nog twee slaapkamers en een derde badkamer. De hoge ramen zorgen voor veel lichtinval en direct contact met het water.

Comfortabel en energiezuinig

Bij de ontwikkeling van de woningen is er veel aandacht besteed aan duurzaamheid. De waterwoningen zijn voorbereid op de toekomst. Ze zijn volledig gasloos en voldoen aan de BENG (bijna energie neutraal gebouw).

Geïnteresseerd in deze luxe waterwoningen?

Kijk snel op wonenbijdemolenleiden.nl voor het actuele aanbod of neem contact op met één van de makelaars. Zij vertellen u graag meer over dit bijzondere project.

Vraagprijs vanaf € 1.198.000,- v.o.n.

56. De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

De Hypotheker

Deloitte

De Kredieter

De Nieuwe Poort

De Pizzabakkers | Zuidas

De Uitsmijter

MEMBERS COLOPHON

Doctor Feelgood

Eden McCallum

König + Neurath (Nederland) A.G.

130. Kraft Heinz

131. KRNWTR+

132. Lebkov & Sons

133. Lexence

134. Limon

135. Loyens & Loeff

136. Luke Recruitment

137. Lunshof Makelaardij

138. Lyon Office Support

139. Maarsen Groep Beheer B.V.

140. Macquarie Capital (Europe)

141. Made in May

142. Magazine-Masters.nl

143. MaMa Kelly

144. Market 33

145. Mastercard

146. MBO College Zuid

147. Mech Make & Take

148. Miele X

149. Molteni&C|Dada Amsterdam Flagship Store

150. Multicopy Amsterdam Centrum

151. NACH

152. NatWest Markets

153. NDI ICT Solutions

154. Nederlandse Ver. van Banken

155. Nedstede Real Estate

156. NewGround Law

157. NH Amsterdam Zuid

158. nhow Amsterdam RAI

159. Nicolaas Lyceum

160. Norton Rose Fulbright

161. Novotel Amsterdam City

162. NS

163. Oliver’s

164. Olympic Gym

165. Olympisch Stadion

Hello Zuidas invests in trees! How we do that? Through our sponsorship for Trees for All, we plant trees that restore existing forests.

Foundation Hello Zuidas

WTC Amsterdam

Strawinskylaan 61

1077 XW - Amsterdam +31 (0)20 333 74 41 servicepoint@hellozuidas.com www.hellozuidas.com

www.facebook.com/hellozuidas www.instagram.com/hellozuidas www.twitter.com/hellozuidas

Our goal

With an excellent business climate, worldrenowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many sectors from many countries, the Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to the Zuidas by realizing a well functioning area. The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions.

Zuidas Publishers

WTC Amsterdam

Strawinskylaan 151 1077 XX Amsterdam +31 (0)20 362 09 93 info@zuidaspublishers.nl www.zuidaspublishers.nl

Copyright © 2023 Zuidas Publishers

All rights reserved. Nothing appearing in this magazine (information, pictures, images) may be copied or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever, unless explicit permission has been given in writing.

Circulation Free for Zuidas and Amsterdam South. It is be distributed by promo teams, loose circulation, HRM departments of companies within Zuidas to guarantee reaching the (sub) target groups of Zuidas, Amsterdam and Schiphol.

166.ONE-Dyas B.V.

167. Onemeeting.com

168. Openbare Bibliotheek

169. ORAM

170. Oranje Energie

171. Ox & Bucks

172. PAN Amsterdam

173. Pancakes Amsterdam

174. Papa’s Loft House

175. Pathé

176. Personality

177. Pleo

178. Poké Perfect

179. Premier Suites Plus Amsterdam

180. Projectorganisatie Zuidasdok

181. Property NL B.V.

182. Protiviti

183. Provast

184. Q-Park Nederland

185. Rabobank A’dam Markt Zuid

186. RAI Amsterdam 187. Regus 188. Renessence 189. RGA International Reinsurance 190. Rialto 191. Rivers 192. Rob Peetoom

193. Robert Clinics

194. Robert Walters

195. Roland Berger

196. Ronald McDonaldhuis VUmc 197. Rosarium 198. Russell Reynolds Associates 199. Savills Amsterdam 200. Salsa Shop 201. Season-Flowers 202. Securitas

221. The Bank of New York Mellon

222. The Basket

223. The Breakfast Club

224. The Office Operators

225. The Upside Down Amsterdam

226. Thomaskerk Amsterdam

227. Tierra

228. Topsport Amsterdam

229. TPEX

230. Trainmore

231. TREC

232. Tribes

233. Urban Gym Group

234. Urban Salad

235. Van der Valk Hotel Amsterdam

Zuidas

236. Van Dijk & Ten Cate 237. Van Gool Elburg

238. Van Lanschot Kempen

239. VanLoman

240. VEBEGO

241. Vermaat Groep

242. Vesteda

243. Vet Digital

244. Victory Real Estate

245. Von Poll Real Estate

246. VondelGym

247. VORM Ontwikkeling

248. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

249. VU | Griffioen

250. Wagamama

251. Watersportvereniging De Koenen

252. Welcome Home

253. WeWork

254. Wild & The Moon

255. Wineboutique & Spirits

256. Wintertaling

257. WTC Amsterdam

258. WTC A’dam Business Club

259. WTCafé De Blauwe Engel

260. WuSH

261. X.Bike

in Security

208. SThree 209. Stibbe 210. Stichting Open The Doors 211. Strand Zuid 212. Student Experience

Summertime

SV RAP 215. Symphony’s

Taalcentrum - VU 217. Tandartsenpraktijk Van de Veer

Editor-in-chief Romy Lange

Editor & Sales Céline Boute & Brigitte Oosterhuis

Intern Isabel Kok

Art Director Emiel Brouwers • IMAGEAU

Translation Taalcentrum-VU

Final Editor Ellen Josée Westrik

Printed by Magazine Masters

Frequency Six times a year (bi-monthly)

Editors

Romy Lange, Céline Boute, Brigitte Oosterhuis, Lysanne Wilkens, Ramon Holle, Gordana Todorovic & Irene Flotman

Photography Caily Bobbie Jo, Roxanne Wilm, Davide Gallery, Nestor Tsakirakis (Studio Klijn), Nicolas Roman, Jelle Draper, Jeroen Verrecht, Jordi de Vetten, H. Vroege, Lysanne Wilkens, Heike Lachmann, Marcel Steinbach, Anouk Sneller, Hazel Ling Photography, Elisa Schouten, Jan Vonk & Gordana Todorovic

262. XO Optics

263. X2X Worldwide Express

264. Your Assistant

265. Zone2Source

266. Zuidas Apotheek

267. Zuidas Art Projects

268. Zuidas Bier

269. Zuidas gemeente Amsterdam

270. Zuidas Markt

271. Zuidas Publishers

272. Zuidas Today

273. ZuidasTravel.nl

Magazine Hello Zuidas is issued by

Editorial advisory board Olivier Otten, Angela Ham, Elisa Schouten, Gordana Todorovic & Jos Moerkamp

Thanks to Melvin Twellaar, Taalcentrum-VU, De Hypotheker, John Leerdam, Olivier Otten, Marcel Melis, Gelderlandplein, Q Residences, Taylor Wessing, Zuidas (Gemeente Amsterdam), Irene Flotman, Mátyás Bittenbinder, Sense Makelaardij, Equiom Netherlands, CBRE, Adriaan Hernández, Susan Poeder, Amsterdam International Community school, Vebego, SThree, NDI ICT Solutions, Eversheds Sutherland, CMA, Institute of Management Accountants, Greenberg Nielsen, Van Lanschot Kempen, Sense Vastgoed, Young Professionals Group, Urban Gym Group (Clubsportive), Looplabb, NVDM, Floating Gardens, WOW Family Center, Andy van den Dobbelsteen, Paralegal Network, Nishaat Hussain, Van A tot Zuidas, SIXT

Luxury living in Amsterdam’s greenest district, its beauty drawn inside through floor-height windows. That’s life in Q Residences. The warm lobby and high-end rental apartments with quality finishing will make you feel right at home.

A NEW ICON IN TOWN