Fun together: “There’s always something to celebrate.”

For Fabienne, fun is more than having a laugh. “It’s actually a condition for good performance,” she says. “When you feel good, you perform better and go to great lengths. That’s why I always keep an eye on whether everyone’s in the right place and able to shine.” As Head of Facilities & Construction, she’s responsible for everything from building maintenance and security, to catering across the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond. It’s a broad role where connection is key. “I visit many departments. That’s where the best ideas are born through collaboration, a good laugh, giving each other compliments, and making sure things stay fun, even when it’s busy.

Her own team actively invests in having fun. “We take turns organizing team outings, always in pairs. The rest of the team has no idea what we’ll be doing until we get there. That keeps it surprising and full of laughs. And of course, there’s always food and drinks involved.” But for Fabienne, fun is also in the little things. “Like having lunch together. We talk about everything, work related and personal stuff. It builds connection. And if we tackle something tough together, we celebrate that too. That, to me, is what fun together looks like.”

Arjan feels that same positive vibe. He’s been at Royal Swinkels for over 15 years, and no two days have been the same. “I’ve never done the same job for more than three years. Whenever I spotted an opportunity, I went for it. It keeps things fresh, and you learn a lot.” As a Strategic Buyer, he’s responsible for everything that helps get beer from the brewery to the bar, from labels and packaging to tanks and hoses. “It’s a dynamic world. Things are always changing, and that’s when collaboration really matters. Even with suppliers, I’m always looking at what’s possible.

What Arjan appreciates most is the balance between professionalism and a relaxed atmosphere. “Everyone has a voice here. Everything you need to excel is in place. And don’t get me wrong, we all work hard. But the fun just happens naturally. There’s always something going on: a pub quiz, a team outing, or a party. I’m always up for that. And they know how to find me. Last Christmas, I ended up being the auctioneer for a charity event. Things like that just happen because they can.”

For Arjan, fun together also means celebrate together. “When we hit a goal as a team, we raise a glass. It’s not just about the win, but also about creating space to have open conversations when things get tough. A lot gets solved at the bar. Really. That’s where everything comes together again.”