Willem-Jan van Gendt

Maarten: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Willem-Jan van Gendt, in the run-up to the Leaders in Finance AML event on October 3rd. Could you please introduce yourself?

Willem-Jan: Yes, of course. Thank you very much, Maarten. I’m Willem-Jan van Gendt, a business consultant at Cito. Most people in the Netherlands know Cito for its role in education, but my business unit focuses on personal certification within the business sector. We have been doing this for decades, examining and certifying professionals in many different sectors. We certify in fields such as technology, healthcare, security and, more recently, in the financial world. Our clients range from ministries, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security to the NBA (accountancy), hospitals, and even the CBR, where we are involved with the theory exams for driving licenses in the Netherlands.

Maarten: What do you do specifically, and what do you like most about your role?

Willem-Jan: Well, the most interesting part of my role is, I believe, the broad social field where we operate in. Especialy the  social relevance of our projects aligns with the values of our organization. We aim to add value for our customers, and in a time when certification is crucial, you need reliable tests. That’s where Cito comes in. We are the top-knowledge partner not only in the Netherlands but also across Europe. It’s this broad social field that allows me to continuously discover new worlds, which I really enjoy. Additionally, AML is extremely relevant in today’s society, and I’m glad to have in-depth knowledge of this field. I see many dedicated professionals who are incredibly open to collaboration, striving to elevate the system to the next level. Despite being an outsider in this world, I feel genuinely at home and welcomed, and that’s what I appreciate in my current role.

Maarten: That sounds interesting. With regard to AML and financial services, from your perspective, what do you see as the biggest challenges at the moment?

Willem-Jan: Well, the financial system, in general, is a trust-based system, particularly in the AML world. However, people no longer trust organizations solely based on the reputation of their CEOs. Organizations must constantly demonstrate their reliability. Although there is an incredible amount of knowledge available, it is no longer simply regarded as credible, because this trust has been betrayed before. I think that’s one of the biggest challenges right now.

Maarten: Could you share some examples or trends that occurred in the AML space last year that particularly concerned you or caught your attention?

Willem-Jan: My attention is drawn to certain trends in society. Organizations are increasingly required to demonstrate their responsibility at an individual level. For instance, in the cybersecurity field a few years ago, it was sufficient to present extensive policy documents to regulators. However, problems often arise at the individual level. Although  policies are necessary, it’s crucial to demonstrate how individuals behave in their roles. When issues occur, organizations need to acknowledge the human factors involved. In the context of AML, we can expect the government to tighten requirements for organizations regarding the monitoring of cash flows. Additionally, organizations are experiencing a shift after hiring large numbers of CDD analysts; they are now taking a quality hit, questioning whether they have the right talent on board.
I see these main trends emerging. While these aren’t immediate concerns, they do capture my attention in my role.

Maarten: It’s interesting, especially the last trend you mentioned regarding the increasing quality of CDD analysts. In recent years, there has been a significant influx of CDD analysts into the financial system, and they are actively working to upgrade their skills. How could your services assist in enhancing and demonstrating that quality?

Willem-Jan: Organizations hire a CDD analyst to work for them, but how can they reliably assess whether they are a good fit? We conducted research on the costs associated with hiring the wrong person, and it can be quite expensive. But it’s also essential to consider whether there are blind spots within your team, department, or even the entire organization. While you may have programs in place to develop your employees, it’s important to recognize any existing blind spots that could hinder growth and performance. To identify these blind spots, you can use assessments or tests to monitor the results of individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole. That’s why we developed our CDD-assessment to help organizations with both issues.

Maarten: Thank you for that elaboration. We just discussed the importance of upgrading skill sets by people working in AML for a few years now. Do you have any tips for people starting in the AML field?

Willem-Jan: I can answer that question from two different perspectives. To CDD analysts I can say, it’s an attractive field with many opportunities. My advice is to continuously differentiate yourself from others. As we discussed earlier, organizations will make a qualitative hit, so it’s essential to keep developing your skills and make your progress demonstrable. And, of course I could say, you can do that through our test.
For top professionals, the perspective is slightly different. It’s crucial to establish a robust personal certification system in collaboration with all organizations within your field. If you don’t take the initiative, the government will likely step in, and you could lose significant control over the process. This isn’t just about oversight; it’s also about enhancing the quality of the sector and building public trust. So, those are my tips for both CDD analysts and top professionals within organizations.

Maarten: For my last question: what are you most looking forward to at the event next week?

Willem-Jan: It’s always about the people. The attendees at these events are open-minded. They engage with one another and see opportunities, as well as threats in their fields. It’s a rapidly evolving and challenging world and I hope to speak with the participants and explore how we can contribute to and support them in addressing their challenges.

Maarten: Thank you, Willem-Jan, for taking the time to talk with us in this pre-event interview for the AML event on October 3rd. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.

Willem-Jan: Thank you! I hope to see you