Towards impact together: ABN AMRO & Vlerick on sustainability and leadership

The story began with a specific PhD research project. Over time, it grew into a broader collaboration that is now well established. For Joachim, that first collaboration proved successful from the outset: “In my previous role at the bank as Head of Products & Solutions, I was closely involved in the study, supervised by Prof. David Veredas, entitled ‘Are sustainability-driven SMEs more resilient? A lending perspective’. At Vlerick’s Responsible Leadership Summit, I noticed it again: this partnership is real and brings enormous added value. The dynamism, the focus on entrepreneurs and the quality of the speakers really make the difference.”

Marion also sees the impact of how the partnership has evolved: “Today, ABN AMRO has grown into a community partner for our Sustainability Centre, which helps companies take their sustainability strategy to the next level.”

That growth has not always been without challenges, however. Not all joint initiatives could always be fully developed or completed. Marion emphasises that it is precisely in those moments that the strength of the partnership shows: “Transparent communication and working together to find a win-win outcome, even when things turn out differently than expected.” Joachim adds: “It’s like with entrepreneurs: you start out full of energy, but reality changes. How do you adapt and still make it a success? That’s what we did.”

While geopolitical themes such as defence and sovereignty are attracting a lot of attention, sustainability remains crucial. Joachim sees it as a matter of perseverance: “This is exactly the time to stay the course. For entrepreneurs who believe in it, the business case is clear: sustainability is not just doing good for the sake of it; it is economically relevant.”

Marion looks at it through an innovation lens: “Legislation can stimulate innovation, but forward-thinking companies don’t wait for that. Topics such as circularity require creativity and collaboration across the entire value chain. Our Sustainability Centre is a platform that makes that collaboration possible.”

Joachim illustrates the importance of circularity with a figure: “Today, only 9–10% of raw materials are reused. If we can increase that, it will have enormous impact. It calls for experimentation and new business models.”

Read more about River Cleanup in our interview with Thomas De Groote.

Delivering sustainability requires strong leadership. Joachim sums it up succinctly: “When headwinds pick up, it’s about staying the course. You must be clear about what you believe in and bring your team with you.”

For Marion, leadership means balancing paradoxes: “Long-term vision versus the short term, providing clarity in a complex world... it isn’t always straightforward. Diversity also plays a key role. Whether it’s about female leadership or inclusive leadership more broadly: it’s about making full use of our talents.” Yet this is not always easy, Joachim adds: “There are mechanisms that help us give diversity within the bank a nudge, but there are also opposing forces at work. Every day we look for ways to keep growing here too.”

What gives them energy? For Joachim, it’s impact: “Seeing ideas you develop together with your team turn into great results – that gives you enormous energy.” Marion smiles: “Purpose. A hundred per cent belief in the organisation and the impact we make. And it’s never dull – never a dull day.”