“When I run through the Limburg countryside in my APG outfit, I feel proud”

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 actually enjoy about their work? In the series The people behind your pension, we take you behind the scenes. This time: Stéphanie Chau (40), fund advisor at APG.

You’re a fund advisor for two of APG’s pension fund clients: the Cleaning Services Pension Fund and the PPF APG staff pension fund. What exactly does your role entail?
“I advise the pension funds on communication and am responsible for their multi-year communication strategy. Based on that, I collaborate with the fund and APG each year to create a communication plan. This outlines their communication goals and the services they use, which vary by client. For example, one fund uses APG’s social media services, while the other does not. During the transition to the renewed pension system, there’s also a legally required communication plan in addition to the annual one. This includes communication objectives and all messages directed at participants and employers. I discuss the strategy, annual plan, and legal communication plan with the fund through their communication committee. Decisions are made here, and recommendations are drafted for the fund’s board. It’s a key part of my job.”

What does a typical workday look like for you?
“I have a lot of meetings, both internal and external. I speak with both fund clients several times a week. There are also regular meetings with the communication committees, which usually last a few hours. Before those meetings, I often work with colleagues on communication memos that are submitted for decision-making. We also discuss the progress of the annual plan, reporting, and developments in laws and regulations. After the meeting, I provide internal feedback and initiate follow-up actions. That’s the client-facing side of my work. Internally at APG, I ensure that our services run smoothly and that the annual plan is actually implemented. It’s important to maintain quality, because as the fund advisor, I’m held accountable by the client.”

What do you enjoy most about your work?
“I find it special that we work with many colleagues for eight pension fund clients, but I’m one of the few APG employees who has frequent contact with the client. Because that’s where the action is. What I especially enjoy is seeing how driven the fund board members are in wanting to do what’s best for their participants, employers, and stakeholders. Of course, discussions in committee or board meetings can get heated at times, but that stems from their passion to do things right. I think it’s amazing to contribute to that and to work alongside the board members to serve the interests of participants and employers—especially now, during the transition to the renewed system.”

APG is an organization in transition. What’s the biggest challenge in your work right now?
“A fund in transition demands a lot, and the communication around the Future of Pensions Act for PPF APG and the transition of the Cleaning Services Pension Fund to the renewed system are my biggest challenges. We’re really pioneering here. It’s exciting and can be a bit uncomfortable at times. But that pioneering spirit and paving the way for other funds is exactly what makes my work so enjoyable. As a fund advisor, you go from highs to lows quickly. One moment you think: yes, we’re on the right track. The next, you wonder: wow, what are we doing? That’s part of change. What makes it so challenging is the rapid pace of change. The pension system is evolving, which means the fund boards and APG must evolve too. I bring my experience from PPF APG to the Cleaning Services Pension Fund. Not all lessons can be applied one-to-one, but the experience helps me every day. And in that way, I’m constantly evolving too.”

Before joining APG, you had no experience in the pension sector. Why did you decide to apply?
“I deliberately chose APG to achieve a better work-life balance. Before this, I worked at Heras as Brand and Communications Manager for all European countries where the company had offices. That meant a lot of travel. With a young family and a son who needs extra care, that became impossible to manage. In my first interview at APG, I was told: ‘If you’re doing well, your work will go well too.’ That was exactly what I was looking for. And although my work is full of constant change, I’ve found the work-life balance I needed.”

When do you feel proud of APG?
“APG is a wonderful, stable employer. People really come first here. I’m a member of the running club at our Heerlen office. When I run through the Limburg countryside in my APG outfit, I feel proud to work for an organization that’s socially engaged. After years in commercial environments focused mainly on profit, I now work on a topic that affects everyone: pensions. As I get older, it feels increasingly meaningful to spend my time on work that truly contributes to society.”

What else do you enjoy doing in your free time?
“I often say that when you have a family with two young children, you don’t really have time for hobbies. But I do have a special passion. Recently, I had the honor of officiating a wedding for friends as a deputy registrar. I’d love to do that more often alongside my job—to help make someone’s special day even more memorable. But first, I’m focusing on transitioning the Cleaning Services Pension Fund into the renewed pension system.”

You’ve been at APG for two years now. Where do you see yourself in five years?
“I always enjoy this question in job interviews, and I usually answer that I don’t look that far ahead. Because of my son, I’ve learned to live in the moment and not plan too much. That insight helps me truly enjoy the present instead of constantly chasing something bigger or different. The way life is now—it’s good.”