What was your start at Vanbreda like?
Mathias: When I applied for a job here, it was actually for non-life insurance. It was the HR colleagues who suggested that I should work at Employee Benefits. The idea hadn’t even crossed my mind, in fact I barely knew what this involved. But it was the perfect match, and I haven’t regretted it for a single second. What I also think is brilliant is how Vanbreda looked beyond my age. I had no experience in employee benefits and was just 24, but they believed in me. From day one, a colleague took me under his wing and trained me.
What do you like most about your job?
Mathias: I love the depth. I used to work in insurance, but I handled much smaller matters. By Friday I’d more or less forgotten what I’d worked on Monday. Now I go through a longer process with clients and we can go in-depth. When I talk to financial directors or HR managers, I also find that I can offer them insights and advice that are genuinely new.
How would friends describe you?
Mathias: As someone who always keeps a level head. I don’t get stressed out easily. Even when things don’t go as planned, I stay calm. My wife sometimes doesn’t get how I do that. (laughs) Another characteristic is my dry humour. Fortunately, my colleagues like a bit of a laugh, so I don’t have to hold back. On the contrary, my colleague Wim and I – we started on the same day – enjoy teasing one another. There’s never a dull moment here!
What do you like doing outside work?
Mathias: I played football for a very long time, but I switched to road cycling because of a knee injury. I caught the bug from my father-in-law. I go cycling with him and my brother-in-law on Saturdays and Sundays. In the afternoon, I like to do something with the kids, and ideally we finish off with a barbecue. That’s my ideal weekend.
What are you good at?
Mathias: I’m good at evaluating both others and myself. This self-understanding means I know exactly what I’m not good at, such as admin. (laughs) That’s why I am very happy that, as Account Managers, we work with a great team of Client Managers. They follow things through on a daily basis.
What I am good at, though, is explaining complex matters clearly to clients. And asking follow-up questions. Not answering the question immediately, but first asking a question of my own to find out what the client really wants.
What gives you satisfaction?
Mathias: I’m especially proud when I can move pensions to a plan with a higher return. Last year, I was able to do that for about five hundred employees across various companies. They will end up with as much as a hundred thousand euros more at the end of their careers. Being able to contribute to a better financial future gives me the drive to go all out.
