This bon vivant is a familiar face to colleagues, customers and suppliers! 

Luuk has been the man behind the financial department of WBE for 13.5 years. 

Despite his serious work in figures and finance, there is also plenty of laughter around Luuk. His direct humour puts a smile on the faces of his colleagues. Especially when he is working together with colleague Philip. 

Curious about what his workday is like? Then read the entire interview. 

Tell us about yourself (age, relationship, place of residence, etc.) 

I am Luuk, 51 years old, married to Christina and have 2 bonus children. Indy from 18 and Kay from 15. Furthermore, the family is completed with 2 dogs. One of them has been adopted through a foundation in Spain. The dogs are a bit older and have been through a lot. We give them a few more good years, a loving old age.

What are your hobbies (besides working hard at WBE)? 

Normally I go to the gym at least twice a week, but this changed when the gym closed because of Covid. But we can go again. I keep finding it mind-numbing and have to drag myself there anyway. I have played tennis for years and at the moment I am picking up golf a little. To start with some teeing off and getting lessons again. The clubs had been gathering dust in the shed for about 15 years.

I also like to smoke a nice cigar with an equally nice glass of rum. A hobby I share with my brother-in-law. 

What did you study? 

I can be brief about what I have completed, nothing. No, that is not quite true. I did VWO and then I went into accountancy. NIVRA was not really my thing, an alternative was SPD. That works with certificates. I am missing two. I was going to do that when I went to KPMG on St Maarten, but it never happened. 

What did you do before you started working at WBE? 

I started my working career at Coopers & Lybrand (the current PWC). After about 7 years I had had enough and went travelling with my backpack for a year. Once back in the Netherlands, I ended up in the Internet industry where I was approached by Cees-Jan (our current financial director at WBE) who was working at KPMG Sint Maarten at the time. Cees-Jan, together with a partner, started their own financial advisory firm, which I joined. On Sint Maarten, I came into contact with Peter Baak. And there I made the choice to join WBE in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, I have been working at WBE for 13.5 years.   

In which department do you work at WBE? 

The finance department

At which branch do you work? 

On the Westland, but my tasks are also for the other branches of WBE. 

What does your average working day look like? 

I start around 07:00. First I put on the music. 

Then I start clearing my incoming mails and open the internet banking. From then on, I work several times a day. 

What do you like best about your job? 

The people/colleagues. Of course, you have to have an affinity with numbers to like this work, but the people here are very decisive for the fact that I go to the office with a smile every day (well, almost every day).

What do you like least about your job? 

I don't really know. Of course there are things that have to be done that you put off. Because you are reluctant to start, for example. But I can't think of anything that I don't like. The alarm clock. It rings early and you never get used to it. But once you get out and shower, it's fine.

What is your favorite product? Why? 

I think my favourite product is a product from Europe. Something from Eucalyptus. I really like the greyish, matt colour.

Do you have any ambitions within WBE? 

I have no immediate ambitions for myself. I really enjoy my current position and get satisfaction from it. Of course, I would like to contribute to and be part of the continuous development of WBE.