“If you have the chance to improve yourself, you should take it”

Who are the people who consciously choose to work in the pension sector? What do they do every day to manage your pension? And what do they enjoy most about their jobs? In our series The people behind your pension, we take you behind the scenes. This time, we talk to Bas Veldhuizen—former trainee and recently appointed Model Risk Manager.

When you talk about your job at a party, do you get blank stares, or do you easily hold people’s attention?
"At first, definitely blank stares. My job title isn’t widely recognized outside of financial institutions where models play a big role. But I can explain it well enough. As a pension investor, we invest the contributions of pension fund participants. Of course, we can’t predict the future, but we do want to create a clear picture of it. That’s where models come in—they help us measure the CO₂ footprint of our pension fund clients' investment portfolios, or assess the potential risks of certain investments. I’m part of an independent team that checks whether these models are accurate and functioning as they should."

What made you decide to apply for a role at APG after your traineeship?
"I never really considered not staying at APG. I deliberately applied for the APG traineeship because I find pensions an interesting topic, and the organization as a whole appealed to me. During my traineeship, I experienced APG as a great employer—one that offers opportunities to develop your expertise further. But the deciding factor in applying for my current role was that I truly felt at home with my colleagues. I really appreciate the open atmosphere here. There’s a strong willingness among APG employees to help one another, which I value—especially at this stage of my career."

Is everything smooth sailing at APG, or do you see room for improvement?
"Decision-making could be faster. As a company, we strive for the highest quality—it’s part of our DNA. But this sometimes means scheduling yet another meeting just to be absolutely certain about something. While thoroughness is good, an extra meeting isn’t always necessary. Often, it’s more efficient to just start and deliver something, then decide afterward if an additional discussion is needed. That’s a tough habit to change, though, because it comes from a positive trait—the drive to do things as well as possible."

For many people, pensions feel like a distant concern—especially younger generations. What attracts you to this field?
"During my studies, I realized I enjoy thinking in the medium to long term rather than focusing on the day-to-day. Pensions bring together a lot of interesting aspects. There’s the behavioral economics side—how do you make people aware of the importance of pensions?—as well as complex financial challenges."

You recently became a father. Has parenthood changed how you view your work?
"Probably, though it's still quite new. I no longer work just for myself, and I find that a meaningful thought. The way I develop myself now could also affect how well I do as a father. In that sense, I do look at life a bit differently."

Throughout your studies, you were involved in various committees and boards, all while holding a part-time job. Where does that drive come from?
"If you have the chance to improve yourself, you should take it. I strongly believe in that, which makes me naturally ambitious and somewhat competitive. Right now, I focus on learning new skills and gaining knowledge to become better at my job. Eventually, I hope that will open new doors, but I know I have to earn that by growing in my current role first. I’m quite self-reflective and always looking for ways to improve. When I identify areas for growth, I want to address them. I also struggle with losing—unless I know I gave it my all. On the flip side, when bad luck strikes, it can frustrate me immensely."

One of your hobbies is field hockey. Are you just as competitive on the field?
"Right now, I play at a pretty casual level. I’m a much better goalkeeper than an outfield player, but I believe a goalkeeper should always be there for every training session and match. That’s not feasible for me at the moment, so I decided to play as an outfield player instead."

Between work and parenting, do you still find time to relax?
"I enjoy music and used to go to dance festivals a lot. If I get the chance this summer—without childcare responsibilities for a day—I’d love to go again. I bought myself a DJ controller for Christmas, though I don’t get to use it as much as I’d like. But I recently discovered that I can still mix tracks while my son sleeps in a baby carrier on my chest."

You live in Tilburg, a 90-minute train ride from your workplace in Amsterdam. What keeps you there?
"Love. My girlfriend already owned a house in Tilburg, and it’s big enough for us to live comfortably as a family. I grew up near Eindhoven, but I think Tilburg stands out among Brabant’s cities for its warm and lively atmosphere. We sometimes consider moving to the Utrecht area, and we hope to make that decision before our son starts school."

You recently completed your traineeship, immediately moved into a new role at APG, became a father, and you’re highly ambitious. Where do you see yourself in five years?
"That’s a tough question. But I’d say in five years, I’ll be well on my way to becoming a senior at APG—maybe I’ll even have reached that level—and I’ll be a more well-rounded professional. As a father, I hope to have a happy, school-going son who can be proud of what his dad does."