He began as a 15-year-old store associate in an Albert Heijn supermarket just around the corner. Little did he know that today, nearly 13 years later, 27-year-old Angelo Verbond would still be in the fold – but this time with Albert Heijn's mother company, Ahold Delhaize, as an international finance trainee. “I love working for an ambitious, high-performing company that wants to be a front runner in everything it does. That proactive, can-do approach resonates very much with who I am.”
“I come from a family in an environment where going to university isn’t a given. I guess that’s why I’ve always felt the urge to prove myself. My parents never had to ask me whether I’d done my homework. When I was 15, I got a part-time job at the Albert Heijn on the Krugerplein, a five-minute walk from my house in the eastern part of Amsterdam. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, I worked for two hours – the legal maximum for a 15-year-old – as a store associate, replenishing the shelves with wine and washing detergents. Ironically, all the money I pocketed went straight back to Albert Heijn on candy and crisps.”
Age doesn’t matter; personality does
What he remembers most about those four hours per week is how much he enjoyed them. He refers to his colleagues back then as ‘his second family’. “I felt I could really be myself. When I turned 16, I was allowed to work as a cashier. I loved interacting with customers – also because I realized I was pretty good at it. Not only did I get on well with the customers, but my colleagues also seemed to appreciate my social manner. I found they’d appreciate what I had to say and often tended to agree with me. I told my manager I would like to become team lead. He emailed his superior, enquiring whether it was possible to become team lead at the age of 17. His manager replied: ‘Age doesn’t matter: as long as the person is mature enough to take on the position, he can’. A few months later, I was promoted to team lead.” 
Over the years, new roles, opportunities and promotions followed. While friends moved jobs and employers often, Angelo stuck with Albert Heijn. “There was always a new challenge awaiting me. I learned so much in those years. Mostly that if you want something, you need to make it happen yourself. And more importantly, that you can make it happen. Some chances appear fortuitously, others you need to look for or create yourself. Whenever I was ready for a fresh challenge or a step up within the company, I made it known to my manager. Subsequently, the opportunity always presented itself. Sharing your goals and ambitions is important – when you do, you’ll find they’re actually very achievable.”
A different perspective on a company I know so well
Meanwhile, Angelo was studying Finance at the University of Amsterdam. “Towards the end of my studies, I realized I wanted to pursue something more in line with the financial field. My then manager pointed me in the direction of the International Finance Traineeship at Ahold Delhaize. It was a great opportunity to see a different side of the company I had worked for for so long.”
Fast forward to today, five months into the traineeship. “I never expected it to be so amazing. While there’s a great deal to learn, there are also so many opportunities waiting to be scooped up. I work as a Business Controller for the Marketing & Communication Team. I love the fact that the role captures the more ‘hard’ financial aspect as well as business cases such as loyalty campaigns, where I get to operate as a financial sparring partner. I really thrive on this kind of diversity in my job.”
“My colleagues at the head office are another reason I'm in my element here – the way they welcomed me was truly remarkable. They are genuinely interested in one another and are willing to help wherever possible. Everybody has this enormous drive and is extremely ambitious. After all, there are targets to be met. But we're also good at letting go of those targets for some downtime too. It’s the perfect balance between a high-performing culture and having fun together.”
Teamwork makes the dream work
Angelo knows how to unwind when he needs to. “I like to go out with friends for a drink, meet new people and chat into the night. It’s something I definitely missed during COVID times. Another hobby I recently developed is gaming. I was recently introduced to first-person shooter games, where you tactically try to take over a territory in a team with four other players. You really need to work together to achieve your goal.”
Speaking of goals, Angelo has one that's particularly close to his heart. “In a few years from now, I want to take my mother on a trip to Suriname, her motherland. My treat; I don’t want her to worry about the financial side. If I’m able to do that, I will be incredibly happy. For now, I am fully focused on the traineeship. I can’t wait to learn more, gain more experience and tackle the exciting challenges that lie ahead.”
Angelo Verbond (1994)
Angelo Verbond (1994)
Full name: Yves Angelo Verbond
Studied: MA Finance, University of Amsterdam (2021)
Living with: My mother in Amsterdam
Best book ever read: Modern principles of Economics, Tyler Cowen & Alex Tabarrok
Best series on Netflix or TV: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Most inspiring person: Pamela Held, one of my previous managers, with whom I worked very closely. She has a unique view on life.
Can be woken up in the middle of the night for: An Amaretto sour
Three items to take to a desert island: A speaker to listen to jazz music, wine and my keys
Life-changing event: My maternal great-grandmother’s passing in 2014. I spent a great deal of my youth in her presence and felt very close to her.
Biggest accomplishment in life so far: Graduating with my master’s degree last year. I worked very hard for it and am happy that hard work indeed pays off. Otherwise I would not have been where I am today.
