My First 365 Days as Managing Director: Lessons, Challenges, and Successes at SERIS Netherlands

A year ago, Pieter van den Herik took over from Aad de Vries as head of SERIS Security in the Netherlands. As Managing Director, he looks back on a period marked by challenges, solutions, and impressive results. Pieter is proud of the organization and would like to share his personal story in this blog. He also discusses the development of SERIS Security, the changes within the company, and the vision for the future.

Fourteen years ago, I started as a security guard at ANVD Bewaking. Not long after that, ANVD Bewaking was acquired by SERIS. A lot changed organizationally, but not yet for me personally. That changed in 2014 when Aad de Vries became Managing Director of SERIS Security. I became a Team Leader, then a Coordinator, and subsequently a Business Unit Manager. This rapid growth was accompanied by various training programs in management and finance. Learning on the job was important, but Aad also emphasized the importance of theoretical knowledge. Almost every Saturday, I was back in the classroom. This took an enormous amount of time but did provide the desired theoretical knowledge.

The organization also evolved during that period. We worked hard to improve customer and employee satisfaction and put our vision into practice: “We want to be an employer where employees enjoy coming to work and want to stay, and where contractors want to be and remain our customers.” Step by step, we made progress and succeeded in improving our operational, personnel, and financial results.

With his unwavering confidence and patient guidance, I followed, step by step, in the footsteps of Aad de Vries. After nine successful years at the helm, Aad decided to hand over the reins for good. A decision that was wholeheartedly supported by the SERIS Group. The choice of an internal successor was not only logical, but also underscored our family values within this international organization with more than 40,000 employees.

Since June 2023, I have been proud to hold the title of Managing Director of SERIS Security Netherlands. Thanks to Aad and the entire SERIS family, I am ready to continue SERIS’s growth. Together, we will continue to build a safe and reliable future for our customers and employees.

Although SERIS was already performing at a high level, with satisfied employees and clients, I was convinced that there was room for improvement. My vision: continuous improvement and fostering innovation. We developed a new strategy focused on primary and secondary areas of operation within the segments where we already had a strong presence. This allows us to optimize our value proposition for clients and better address the labor shortage. Our significant presence and brand recognition in these areas provide a solid foundation for this.

Technology plays a crucial role in this. By developing and integrating innovative solutions wherever they improve efficiency and quality, we strengthen our position and create a more stimulating work environment for our employees.

The strategy we adopted proved effective in practice. The past year was characterized by:

• An increase in prestigious clients: We welcomed several new clients, resulting in sustainable and future-proof growth.
• Successful implementation of technological solutions: We integrated innovative technologies for various (new) clients, significantly improving efficiency and quality.
• Improved internal communication and employee satisfaction: We made significant investments in recruitment, selection, and internal training, which led to an influx of motivated and talented employees. We also optimized internal communication, resulting in a more engaged team.
• Automated processes for efficiency: By automating internal processes, we reduced administrative tasks and increased overall efficiency.

The chosen strategy remains the desired strategy. We see both opportunities and challenges:

• Increasing price competition: Margins remain tight, which calls for smart decisions and a focus on added value.
• Chain liability and the use of self-employed contractors: The Tax and Customs Administration is set to tighten the rules governing the use of self-employed contractors. This will have an impact on the sector, but SERIS has long opted for permanent employees, which puts us in a strong position.
• Awareness of quality and innovation: We advocate for sustainable procurement processes that prioritize quality and innovation over price. Fortunately, the Dutch Security Industry and the Code of Responsible Market Conduct are also committed to this goal.

In addition to the points mentioned above, we embrace rapid technological advancements. We proactively develop and implement business cases that deliver added value to our clients. This results in:

• Fewer working hours and greater use of technology.
• More challenging work for our employees.
• Improved security.
• Lower costs for the client.
• Long-term partnerships.

The focus on “People & Technology” is not limited to the Netherlands. The SERIS Group has adopted this strategy worldwide. We benefit from international knowledge sharing, support, and best practices. This is a major advantage of our position within a large, international organization that believes in collaboration.

SERIS is ready for the future. With our dedicated employees, customer-focused approach, and innovative technologies, we remain a reliable partner in the security sector. We strive to:

• To be and remain a leading company in our industry.
• Achieve and maintain high customer satisfaction.
• To achieve and promote high employee satisfaction.
• To continuously innovate and stay at the forefront of the market.

I look to the future with great confidence and enthusiasm. Together with our international teams, we will continue to pursue our goals. We are determined to position SERIS as the leading name in the security sector, where customer focus, quality, and innovation are central to everything we do.

Best regards,

Pieter van den Herik
Managing Director
SERIS Security Netherlands