Jelle Heesakkers serves as a Junior Strategic Advisor specializing in sustainability at Vermetten, where he has quickly made a significant impact on the Advisory team. Read on to learn about his experience working at Vermetten!
My Journey So Far
My career at Vermetten began in 2021, when I had the opportunity to start as a working student at Kalb Accountants in the finance department. I received this chance while pursuing my Master’s in Finance at Tilburg University. In 2022, Kalb Accountants became part of the Vermetten group. The acquisition allowed me to grow within a larger, dynamic organization, which opened up many new possibilities, both personally and professionally.
After completing my master’s degree, I joined Vermetten’s Advisory team. This was a logical next step because I wanted to expand my knowledge not only in finance but also in strategy. I was given ample opportunity to do so within the Advisory team, where we advise clients on both their strategy and sustainability.
Working Together Towards Future-Proofing
What makes our Advisory team unique is the way we combine strategic advice with sustainability consulting. In today’s world, this combination is essential because companies must not only aim for profitability but also focus on future-proofing and corporate social responsibility. Clients and governments are placing increasingly higher demands on companies; they expect not only strong financial performance but also attention to ecological and social impact.
For me, the most enjoyable aspect of providing sustainability advice is the variety in the work and the collaboration with entrepreneurs. We help them make their businesses future-proof by integrating strategy and sustainability. This means we not only focus on the short term but also on the broader, sustainable future of the company.
Sustainability Consulting
At Vermetten, our sustainability consulting is based on four key pillars.
The first pillar is legislation and regulation, where we support clients, for example, with their CSRD reporting. The CSRD requires large companies to report their impact on people and the environment, but it also affects SMEs due to the supply chain pressure exerted by larger companies on their suppliers. This means that many of our SME clients are also confronted with sustainability requirements from the supply chain.
The second pillar focuses on obtaining sustainability certifications, such as B-Corp. For many companies, this is a way to make their social responsibility visible, not only to customers but also to investors and other stakeholders.
The third pillar involves companies that are intrinsically motivated to make their businesses more sustainable. We support them in developing and implementing a sustainable strategy.
The final pillar is about inspiring and connecting companies. We do this, for example, by organizing roundtable sessions where we bring entrepreneurs together to discuss the importance of sustainability. By sharing experiences and ideas, a network is formed in which sustainability takes center stage, and companies can work together towards a future-proof direction.
Impact in the Consulting World
What I enjoy about working at Vermetten is that you are involved in important decisions from day one. In our small, friendly team, you have the space to contribute your ideas, and your input is taken seriously. This creates an environment where you can not only grow quickly but also genuinely feel like you are making a difference.
Personal growth is central at Vermetten. If you have the ambition to further develop yourself or advance in a particular field, there is always room for discussion. Vermetten encourages you to get the best out of yourself.
In short, my time at Vermetten has not only given me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge but also to make a real impact in the consulting world. Whether it’s strategic decisions, sustainable solutions, or personal development, at Vermetten, there are plenty of opportunities to grow.
Are you looking for a meaningful job? And do you want to make a difference for our clients and colleagues? Apply today via our job vacancies!
