Helmy Bakermans steps down as director of Mars Pension Fund. She shares her best memories, most important insights and plans for the future.
What was your career at Mars like?
On 1 March 2023, I have been with Mars exactly 39 years. That’s a long time, but during those 39 years a variety of new and interesting challenges always kept popping up. I started at the P&O department, nowadays called HR, and have since filled many different positions and responsibilities. As a result, I came to know almost everyone, which made my job quite interesting and enjoyable. My career here has actually always been focused on the people working at Mars. I always did it for the people, and that has been the underlying theme of my career.
When did you first start delving into the world of pensions?
In the early 90s, we started working on a new pension scheme for Mars. Mars had always had a good pension scheme, but we wanted to have an early retirement plan that would also be fair for everyone. For example, if it didn’t turn out to be so great for our shift workers or another specific group, we simply continued going back to the drawing board until we finally had a plan that was fair for everyone. It was a real challenge, but we finally succeeded. The coming transition to the new pension system has a great deal in common with the introduction of the new scheme that we worked on then. It’s a major change, and it’s important that we communicate effectively and explain the new scheme to everyone at Mars.
How did you become director of Mars Pension Fund?
At the time, I held an international position with the Treasury & Benefits Centre but was still involved with Mars Pension Fund in the Netherlands via the communication committee. I also served on the board of BPF Zoetwaren as a representative of the employer. So even though I was working in the international sector, I was still very familiar with our Dutch pension schemes. When the director at the time stepped down, I could quickly take over her role. In 2019, I ended up being appointed director of Mars Pension Fund. Like the rest of my career, that was something I did for the people working here.
What does the director of Mars Pension Fund actually do?
In essence, the director of Mars Pension Fund is the ‘spider in the web’ composed of the fund entities, the external administrator and advisors, the employer, and the members. The fund entities include the board, the committees, the Supervisory Council, and the Accountability Council. Overall, the job of director is a very dynamic and varied one.
What are you most proud of?
I’m very proud of the fact that we have a very well-trained board. I worked to establish the Mars Pension Fund Academy for training the people in the Talent Pool. That has resulted in us having a solid pension fund board that is very engaged with the members, the employer, and the fund itself. We have always worked hard to ensure that the members feel very much involved in their own pensions by communicating with them as transparently and effectively as possible. I’m also proud of the fact that I’m leaving behind a financially healthy fund.
"The introduction of the new pension scheme in the early 90s is something I’ll never forget. We had gathered all the associates in the Blauwe Kei Veghel for an All Associates Day and also invited Theo Maassen to be the MC for the day. Theo Maassen was just starting his career as comedian at the time and was not yet famous, but since he’s from Veghel, we happened to know him. After we told him during the preparations what we expected of him and he ended up making a go of it, we simply couldn’t stop laughing. That’s something I’ll always remember."
What will you miss the most?
The people: the members, the former members, and of course my colleagues from the fund and employer who put so much passion and energy into working on our pension. That feeling of solidarity is something I will miss.
Why did you decide to retire now?
My partner is older than I am and unfortunately no longer in good health. The freedom to be able to do things together is why I am retiring now. I’ve been considering for quite some time now whether I wished to retire, because I still enjoy the work very much, but this is the best for both of us. Next year would be my 40th year of working for Mars, a jubilee, but I can simply wait no longer. I want to be there for my partner now, and I wish to be able to provide the necessary care. Hopefully, we will still be able to enjoy a few good years together.
What is officially your last day of work, and what do you intend to do afterwards?
My last working day was 15 December, and on 1 July 2023 I will officially retire. As long as it’s still possible, I would like to go exploring together in our camper. And I’ve always had many hobbies, which I will hopefully have more time for. I sculpt, make stained glass, enjoy cooking, and try to find time for sport activities in between. I would also like to spend more time with the family, and I’ve started a choir for people with Parkinson’s in the region, which is a very rewarding activity.
What would you say to someone who is wondering whether to register for the Talent Pool?
Simply do it! It’s a very enriching activity for your career. You learn management skills and all the disciplines that are important for pensions. That ranges from investing to communicating and from laws and regulations to the practical organization of administrative activities. You don’t always do it yourself, but you do supervise the activities. You really deliver added value, but it’s also added value for your own career. Pensions are continually changing and developing, which makes it all quite interesting and varied.
Do you have one more personal pension tip for the participants?
Your retirement may still seem quite far off, but it’s a good idea to take a good look at it now. There are so many options available that it may seem overwhelming, but everything that you read about it can be worthwhile. It makes more sense to start thinking about it today so that when the time comes you can, like myself, enjoy your retirement years instead of looking back and thinking, “If only I had known a bit more, I would’ve done it differently and been in a better position now.”
What would you like to say to your successor, Judith Vermeulen?
Always remember that you have to do it together: together with the employer and together with the committees. Providing a good pension is something that we can only do together. Make sure that you have a variety of people surrounding you, and provide transparent communication, internally as well as externally for the members.
“I’m leaving the fund behind me in the very capable hands of Judith and the other board members. I have the utmost confidence that they are very much up to the job at hand.”