When Frederik first walked into TriFinance in September 2016 as a freshly graduated Young Hub, he had a choice to make. Like many ambitious starters, he had an offer from a Big 4 firm on the table. But something in him resisted the idea of becoming “a small piece in a big machine.” He chose TriFinance because he hoped for something more human. More personal. More real.
And that instinct, he says today, was spot‑on.
The early years: growing, mentoring, and celebrating together
Frederik joined TriFinance with one big question: “What do I actually want to do in finance?”
He didn’t have a linear career path in mind. Instead, he wanted to taste the diversity of the finance world, and the Young Hub Program, TriFinance’s 1.5‑year traineeship designed to accelerate both personal and professional growth, gave him exactly that.
Through a series of hands-on projects, he quickly became familiar with the principles of finance and operations. Regular check‑ins helped him track his growth, refine his ambitions, and build confidence as a consultant.
At Colruyt, he experienced the full spectrum of what temporary support can mean. Filling vacancies or maternity leaves, ensuring business continuity from day one:
- Credit collection, from operational calling to analyzing overdue patterns and improving follow‑up processes
- Treasury assignments, gaining insight into cash flows and liquidity
- Controlling projects, where he learned how one broken process can impact an entire business chain
“Every path is different at TriFinance,” he says. “I went straight into controlling without doing AP or GL first. That freedom to shape your own trajectory is rare.”
What tied all these missions together? A mindset he learned early on: keep your eyes open, zoom out, and look at the puzzle as a whole. “By trying different fields of finance, I discovered the joy of business controlling and analysis. You see how processes connect, and how improving one piece can lift the whole organization.”
Alongside the learning curve came unforgettable moments, like the TriFinance 20‑year anniversary celebration in Amsterdam, a milestone that strengthened his sense of belonging.
But the most meaningful chapter of his early years began in 2019, when he became a Mentor. He loved helping consultants grow, encouraging them to ask questions, and offering transparent guidance that could spark a mindset shift.
“Sharing knowledge while still being active in the field, that combination really energized me.”
Stepping away: a personal chapter
In 2024, life took a different turn. Frederik and his wife were going through a challenging period while trying to build a family. He wanted stability, a fixed position closer to home. When an opportunity arose at a major international player in the automotive construction sector appeared, he took it.
He hoped to find another people‑centered environment, one where informal learning and growth were part of the culture. But reality turned out differently.
In a large international corporate environment, taking initiative and generating momentum based on personal drive can often be challenging. That’s exactly where TriFinance stands out: you’re truly in the driver’s seat of your own career, and you get to choose what energizes you.”
The pull back: “My story at TriFinance wasn’t finished.”
Only a few months into his new role, Frederik felt it: a quiet but persistent pull back to TriFinance. “Although the position was highly engaging and represented a strong career opportunity, I found that it did not inspire the drive to consistently go the extra mile.
A trip to New Zealand became the turning point. “Being far away gave me the space to reflect. Holidays are good for that. I realized what kind of environment I wanted to work in, and what I had lost.” By February 2026, he knew the answer. It was time to come back at triFinance.
When Frederik reached out, his former Manager and Business Unit Leader Sophie Dubois didn’t hesitate.
“For me, his departure never felt like a final goodbye,” she says. “Frederik is deeply engaged: he trains others, mentors consultants, brings ideas and actually implements them. When he said he wanted to return, it was an immediate yes.”
The team’s reaction? A wave of enthusiastic messages. For Sophie, Frederik’s return is more than a personal story, it’s a cultural signal.
“It confirms that we’re doing something right. Not just the fun things, but the collective mindset. We make work enjoyable again. We create belonging. And that gives people intrinsic motivation.”
Frederik returns with new perspectives and a renewed appreciation for what TriFinance offers.
“Proposing ideas and being heard… I took that for granted. I realized those are gifts. TriFinance’s way of working shaped me into the professional I am today.”
