JENNIFER VAN MAANEN

We are proud to introduce Jennifer van Maanen, the driving force behind our CSRD team! As project lead, Jennifer coordinates our dedicated team’s efforts to integrate sustainability and social responsibility into everything we do. With a passion for sustainability and a keen eye for detail, Jennifer ensures that all themes, from climate change and circularity to safe working conditions and ethical governance, are seamlessly aligned. Her vision and leadership help us set ambitious goals and make a real impact.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what your role as project leader within the CSRD team means?
‘Within Arcus, I fulfil the role of team leader accounting. From my financial background, I am responsible for CSRD reporting and have put together a team of colleagues from different departments so that every department is represented. Eventually, I was appointed project leader of the CSRD team for Arcus. In collaboration with Grand Thornton, I support my colleagues in their responsible themes, ensure that the targets are set and that they are seamless. We have defined the themes and guide team members to write the right policies for each theme, define actions and set indicators and targets. Eventually, this will result in a matching report, which will help us further realize our sustainable ambitions.’

How do you ensure that all the different themes within the CSRD team are well aligned and effectively implemented?
‘Monthly, we organize special CSRD sessions in which we cover one theme each. We also have weekly sparring sessions with Grand Thornton and work in pairs, reviewing each other’s policies and providing feedback. In this way, natural connections are created between the themes, as many sustainability topics have common ground. Thus, the themes are interwoven organically.’

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced in coordinating the CSRD project and how did you overcome them?
‘One of the biggest challenges was the knowledge around CSRD itself. This is because it goes beyond corporate sustainability, it really is a next-level approach. The novelty of CSRD and the fact that it comes on top of our daily work can be challenging at times. Through good cooperation within the team, support from Grand Thornton and training at Mazars, I have learned a lot in a short time. I can see that as a team we are gaining more knowledge every month and thus continue to grow in the field of CSRD.’

Can you tell us what your vision is for the future of sustainability within Arcus Group?
‘The climate is changing, this is something everyone sees and notices. We are responsible together, both individually and corporately. At Arcus, we always try to do our part, and with the CSRD team, that comes into focus even more. Stainless steel is often seen as a big contributor to pollution, but that is precisely why there are many opportunities to run a more sustainable business. We are working on this every day, and we only want to develop this further. Socially, we have already made great strides, such as various projects for the welfare of our employees. We now also want to realize this for the entire chain.’

What concrete results or successes have you achieved so far with the CSRD team?
‘We started by doing a double materiality analysis. This allowed us to identify the most important themes and distribute them among the project members. We looked at what is closest to them, both as people and in their roles within Arcus. Meanwhile, some great policies are already in the finalization phase. From here, we will determine together the objectives and actions for each theme. The goal is to have the goals and actions concrete by the end of 2024.’

What are your main goals for the coming year regarding the CSRD team?
‘My main goals are to make the objectives, actions and indicators concrete so that we can start measuring next year. Furthermore, we want to gain even more knowledge and take sustainability within Arcus to the next level for the whole company.’

How do you see Arcus Group’s role in the broader context of sustainability and social responsibility in the future?
‘Ultimately, you make the difference together. Therein lies a fine task for the entire industry. To make a difference, you have to do it together, but at Arcus we do everything we can to make our own mark in this.’

What message would you like to pass on to everyone who follows us and is interested in our efforts for a more sustainable world?
‘Every day, together, we take a step closer to a more sustainable world. I believe this is possible, provided we do it together. For developments on CSRD, keep following us closely. Should you have any questions, I am always open to answer them to the best of my ability.’

Keep following us to know more about the great initiatives that are coming about under her leadership and how we are working together to create a more sustainable future!