New BRM Manager: Arjan Braamskamp

Contact

Arjan Braamskamp

Team Lead Business Relations

+31 70 304 3700

a.braamskamp@nwp.nl

An even better relationship with NWP's members and increasing our knowledge about what is happening and what is needed on the international market and in the Dutch water sector. With this in mind, NWP is investing in further building and professionalising our Business Relationship Management (BRM). On 1 January, Iris Bijlsma handed over the reins to Arjan Braamskamp, a familiar face within NWP. Previously, Arjan was NWP's Regional Manager Americas, and now he's the new BRM Manager. Why this switch and what are his plans?

Knowing our members and Dutch water sector inside out

"Getting more involved with the Dutch water sector itself, that's what this role is perfect for," says an enthusiastic Arjan Braamskamp. "I've been with NWP since 2019, but I have been working with the organisation for many years, in various capacities. I have seen NWP become increasingly versatile over the years. While this versatility is great, we don't want to forget how we started: promoting the Dutch water sector abroad.

And this does need to be at the core of what NWP does: supporting our members and the Dutch water sector as a whole in their international ambitions. What do they want? What can they do? And how can we best support them? That has always been at the heart of what we do, and we want to go back to that."

"More than ever before, especially in these challenging times of corona, we can demonstrate our added value to our members and the Dutch water sector as a whole!"

Arjan Braamskamp

Business Relationship Manager

The BRM team connects and promotes

Asked how he sees the BRM team's role within NWP, Arjan says: "The BRM team - Anusha Mehta, Mirella van der Lubbe and myself - are in close contact with our members, partners and the water sector and are constantly analysing what they want and need. We want to be the first port of call for the sector. NWP has an enormous national and international network. It's our job to match our members with relevant (international) contacts as quickly and accurately as possible."

"Information collected by the BRM team is also translated within the organisation into suitable support. Through international promotion and visibility, project and programme suggestions, online and live events, joint missions to international trade fairs, or networking activities.

All these activities are focused on implementing NWP's vision of water.driven.future. And in support of the Netherlands' International Water Ambition (NIWA) as well as strengthening the Dutch water sector's positioning internationally. This may sound like mere policy, but the past few years have shown that policy has given a big push to furthering the sector's ambitions!"

Anusha Mehta - Project Officer BRM

"I am the new Project Officer for the Business Relations Management team. I used to work as Project Officer for Asia, leading the India and Myanmar portfolios at NWP. However, I wanted to embark on a new challenge and work more closely with NWP's members and Dutch water sector organisations, across regions. I want to assist members with building new connections and relations, sharing targeted information that can help them with their personal and business development, and involve them in the efforts to share Dutch water sector knowledge and expertise abroad."

NWP's ambitious plans for 2022

Arjan is looking ahead to a good year. "I'm not afraid to say that the BRM team has quite an ambitious agenda for 2022, and we are off to a great start! It's important that NWP does what we do best. Connecting people, matching the right partners, creating visibility, and building on the Dutch water sector's strong image around the globe. And first and foremost: generating a big dose of energy and enthusiasm for the amazing companies and organisations within our water sector.

It's vital to me that any organisation in the Netherlands that is a player or prospective player in the sector or has any needs to do with water knows who to call at NWP. Even if we don't have all the answers right away we relish a challenge and are focused on results!

This year, we are 100% focused on interacting with our members, partners and the sector as a whole, and cementing our role therein. We are an important player, a strong network organisation and facilitator, especially because we don't just refer people or provide a standard answer. We actively and creatively think along with the sector and aim to be a valued sparring partner; a hub of knowledge."

How can NWP be of service?

To the last question, about what the BRM team wants the reader to take away for 2022, Arjan responds: "NWP is here for you, our members, our partners, and the sector. Take advantage of the network and services we provide. Those who get the full value from their membership are proactive, engaged and involved.”

We are going through unprecedented times - a difficult, unfamiliar, exasperating and sometimes extremely boring pandemic. We can complain about it - which is completely valid - but we also have to move forward. Our network is particularly valuable right now. If NWP is doing well, so is the sector. And the other way around!"