Mark van Schagen on working in the financial sector: 'Highly hierarchical organisations are more likely to scare off young talent'
This interview was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.
The labour market in the Netherlands has been under pressure for some time. The perception is that this also applies to the pension and asset management sector. Is that true? Is there a ‘war for talent’ going on? And what does that ‘talent’ want? Financial Investigator spoke to Mark van Schagen, Senior Portfolio Manager at CZ.
What makes working in the financial sector appealing to you?
'What fascinates me so much about working in the financial sector is the way in which global and social developments come together here. Whether it concerns a new president in the US, technological revolutions or a new pension system, all these developments influence the capital markets, and vice versa. This interconnectedness not only creates challenges, but also opportunities to realise change. This really appeals to me.
In the financial sector, I have the opportunity to make a real difference by investing in sustainable projects, but above all by fulfilling my core task: making capital yield the best possible return. If I do my job well, I contribute to a lower health insurance premium at health insurer CZ and a higher pension at pension fund SBZ. An enormous responsibility, but also an enormously beautiful goal.'
How can an employer be/remain attractive to young talent?
'Young people want to make a difference now. That is why an open and flexible organisational culture is the starting point for employers to be attractive to young talent. Such a culture not only offers young people the space to be critical and vulnerable, but also to take responsibility and show initiative. Committed, experienced colleagues play a crucial role in sharing knowledge, challenging, but above all encouraging.
Very hierarchical organisations do not fit in with this kind of culture and are more likely to scare off young talent. In that respect, I think that as a sector we can still learn something from the culture at technology companies, especially now that large financial institutions are starting to resemble them more and more.'
