From FSG Member to M&A Consultant: My Journey to Rembrandt M&A
Back in 2018, I started my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Groningen, I did not yet have a clear idea of what kind of career I wanted to pursue. I chose Business Administration because its broad range of subjects suited me well. During my bachelor’s, however, I quickly discovered that I was particularly interested in the financial side of businesses. Today, I work as a consultant at Rembrandt M&A in Amsterdam. Rembrandt M&A is part of the Rabobank Group and specialises in advising mid-market companies on mergers, acquisitions and related transactions. Together with my colleagues, I support entrepreneurs throughout the process of selling or acquiring a business. My path towards this role was not completely mapped out in advance, but several choices and experiences during my student years proved decisive. One of these was participating in the FSG M&A Tour, where I was first introduced to Rembrandt M&A.
From Business Administration to Finance
During my bachelor’s, it became increasingly clear that Finance was my preferred area within Business Administration. However, pursuing a master’s degree in Finance was not initially part of the plan. I intended to complete my minor abroad, but unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made this impossible. I therefore had to find an alternative in Groningen. I ultimately chose the Finance minor. In hindsight, this turned out to be a fortunate coincidence. It not only allowed me to explore my interest in Finance further, but also gave me the academic background required to enroll in the master’s programme in Finance. Alongside my studies, I completed a board year as chairman of UniPartners Groningen. During this year, I gained valuable experience in working with others, taking responsibility and maintaining relationships with companies. This experience helped me grow both personally and professionally.
My First Introduction to M&A
During my time as a student, I was a member of FSG and attended several events, including the FSG M&A Dinner and the multi-day M&A Tour. The tour in particular has stayed with me. Over the course of several intensive days, we visited different M&A firms and gained a better understanding of what working in the sector entails. It was during this tour that I realised M&A was the area within Finance that suited me best. The profession combines financial and analytical challenges with a strong human and commercial element. Of course, part of the job involves financial analyses and presentations. At the same time, you are in frequent contact with entrepreneurs and other parties involved in a transaction. You visit clients, welcome them to the office and work closely with them towards one of the most important moments in their entrepreneurial journey. It was precisely this variety that appealed to me. The idea of spending the entire week behind a desk was less attractive. M&A allows me to combine analytical work with close collaboration with clients and colleagues. No project or entrepreneur is the same, which keeps the work dynamic.
Keeping Rembrandt in Mind
During the M&A Tour, I was introduced to Rembrandt M&A for the first time. At that point, I was still completing my bachelor’s degree, so starting a full-time job was not yet on the horizon. Nevertheless, Rembrandt remained in the back of my mind throughout the rest of my studies. What appealed to me most was the human side of the organisation. At Rembrandt, you join a close-knit team in which people genuinely know one another and care about your personal development. You are not simply one of many new employees. The firm considers what you want to learn, where your strengths lie and how you would like to develop. After completing my master’s degree, I therefore decided to apply to Rembrandt. An introduction during my bachelor’s ultimately led to my first full-time position several years later. Since May 2025, I have been working as a consultant at the firm’s Amsterdam office.
Responsibility from Day One
At Rembrandt, we generally work in teams of two or three people on each project. Together, we guide the entire process, from the first conversation with a prospective client through to the closing of the transaction. As every project is at a different stage, my working days are highly varied. At one moment, I may be preparing an analysis or presentation; at another, I may be sitting at the table with a client. Starting on my first day, I was entrusted with a broad range of responsibilities. As a junior consultant, you immediately join client meetings and are given the opportunity to take ownership of parts of a presentation or process. Within a few months, I was presenting to clients myself, and entrepreneurs were calling me directly with questions. This can sometimes be challenging, but above all, but it offers valuable learning opportunities. This level of responsibility creates a steep learning curve during your first year. You learn not only about the technical side of a transaction, but also how to communicate with entrepreneurs, manage expectations and collaborate within a small team. It is precisely this combination that makes the work so interesting to me.
More Than Just Work
In addition to the content of the work and the responsibility I am given, the culture at Rembrandt is very important to me. Although M&A is known as an industry in which long working days are not uncommon, Rembrandt genuinely values a healthy work-life balance. The relationships between colleagues are also strong outside the office. We organise various activities and outings throughout the year. For example, we recently went on a skiing trip with colleagues, and every five years, the entire company travels abroad together to celebrate its anniversary. These activities contribute to the close-knit atmosphere within the team. To me, it is this combination that sets Rembrandt apart: challenging and rewarding work, responsibility from an early stage, personal contact with clients and the opportunity to be part of a supportive team.
My Advice to Students
If I could give students one piece of advice, it would be to explore as much as possible during their studies. Attend events, join company tours and speak with professionals working in fields that interest you. Even if an event does not immediately lead to an internship or job, it may still prove valuable later on. My introduction to Rembrandt during the M&A Tour is a perfect example. I would also recommend gaining some work experience alongside your studies. It does not have to be the perfect part-time job or your dream internship straight away. Every relevant experience can help you better understand what you enjoy, develop new skills and make your next step a little easier. These experiences build on one another and may eventually open doors that still seem far away during your studies.
Let’s Connect
Do you have any questions about working in M&A, my experiences at Rembrandt or the transition from university to a full-time career? Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I am always happy to share my experiences and meet for a cup of coffee.
If you would like to learn more about Rembrandt M&A and the work we do, you can also listen to the Baanbrekers podcast episode featuring Rembrandt M&A.