The path to Schouten Zekerheid heid was through former fellow students. "I studied Financial Service Management at the Hogeschool Rotterdam and was in class with people who had also worked or even still work at Schouten Zekerheid heid before. Through Stanley I was approached and that's how I rolled into it." After experience as underwriter and power of attorney manager at a smaller office, Marieke was looking for more content as well as more responsibility.
"When I heard that a team leader role was open at Schouten Zekerheid, I thought: this is the time," he said.
Since September 2024, Marieke has led the proxy team, which has grown from three to nine colleagues in a short time. "We are a club with diverse characters and a good amount of substantive knowledge. Everyone is a bit headstrong, that's part of the job but that's precisely why it works so well. My role is to ensure direction, connection and progress."
What immediately struck her at Schouten Zekerheid? "The personal approach. My first contact was with Dinja, but a coffee with Wilco soon followed, and then conversations with Daniel, Astrid, Mikle and Door. It felt right away: warm, open and genuinely interested. I got the confidence to take this step, and that feeling has remained."
In terms of content, she also quickly felt at home: "I was immediately involved in the strategic direction toward 2030. Together we thought about growth opportunities, priorities and positioning. That you, as a new employee, are included in this in such a way is special to me."
As a team leader this past year, Marieke learned a lot about balance. "I am naturally people-oriented. I remain so. But I have learned that results matter just as much. It is a search for balance: giving people space and monitoring goals. I have grown in that respect and am more in favor of what the team needs. Not always 'yes', but sometimes just: no, this is not appropriate at this time.
With help from colleagues - and training High Impact Management - she is actively working on her development as a manager. "You have a lot to deal with, especially with a growing team. But it is also very instructive. And fortunately I have colleagues who often know exactly the right chord to strike with one practical tip."
Under Marieke's leadership, not only is the team growing, but the services as well. "We are building a firmer, more centralized proxy company. That means shorter lines, more focus and better visibility of what's going on. We're getting better and better found - and that's reflected in the workload. But we are staying the course."
At the same time, she is already thinking further: "How can we better tailor the products to brokers and end customers? What can be done faster, smarter, sharper? How do we ensure that we proactively respond to market needs? Those are the questions I'm working on - and where we as a team can still make significant strides."
What Marieke finds special about Schouten Zekerheid? "There is a real focus on the person behind the employee. Work and home are not separate worlds here - you can be both. You notice that in small things, like playing ping-pong in between jobs, but also in the way people think about your home situation. And that's what I try to convey. Not just to my team, but more broadly."
For those still unsure about applying for a job at Schouten Zekerheid , Marieke has some clear advice: "Just go for a coffee. A job ad says little about atmosphere, dynamics or culture. But in a conversation you immediately notice whether it clicks. That's how it started for me. And I'm glad I said 'yes' then."