Legal, Compliance & Audit: where expertise meets impact
Paulien and Deniz work in Brand New Day’s Legal, Compliance & Audit department as a Legal Officer and Privacy Compliance Officer. They talk about variety, responsibility and why working in compliance doesn’t mean spending your days in endless meetings.
How did you end up at Brand New Day?
Paulien: “After spending twelve years at a mortgage advisory firm, I wanted to broaden my horizons as a corporate lawyer by joining a different type of financial institution. Brand New Day was in the process of obtaining its banking licence at the time. Back then, we all worked together in one small wing of the building and everyone knew each other. My role was, and still is, incredibly varied. That’s exactly what I enjoy. I couldn’t imagine focusing on just one subject every day.”
Deniz: “From a privacy perspective, I knew I’d be able to learn a lot within a financial institution. But I also wanted to work somewhere that wasn’t dominated by meetings and where decisions didn’t take forever. I like making improvements and helping people. People you actually see around the office instead of only on video calls. Although my role is quite specialised, I quickly became involved in broader compliance work as well. Paulien and I work really well together, and I’ve learned a lot from that. What also stood out to me was how privacy-aware many of my colleagues already were.”
Paulien, what has changed over the past ten years?
Paulien: “We’ve become much more professional as an organisation. Our customer base has grown significantly, and so has the number of colleagues. We also have a much more international workforce nowadays. Fortunately, our mentality hasn’t changed. We’re still very down-to-earth. Everyone is approachable and takes responsibility. The company has definitely matured, but never at the expense of decisiveness or our culture.”
How would you describe that culture, Deniz?
Deniz: “I work with such a great group of people. There’s always something to laugh about. We learn a lot from each other by working together. Everyone is knowledgeable, takes ownership and is incredibly supportive. It’s very rare that I have to remind someone twice to respond to me. And I never feel like I’m asking a stupid question or bothering anyone.”
What makes Brand New Day different from other companies?
Deniz: “This isn’t a company where you spend your entire day sitting in meetings. You actually have time to get your work done, and that’s something I really appreciate.”
Paulien: “You’re genuinely valued for your expertise here. People listen to what you have to say, and you’re trusted to take responsibility. I couldn’t work somewhere where I’d have to run every decision past my manager or be micromanaged all day.”
Deniz: “The Executive Board genuinely wants to understand the topics we’re working on. It’s great to have meaningful discussions with them, and it’s even better when they actually act on your advice.”
Paulien: “I also love the fact that the Executive Board sits right here in the office. They’re not tucked away in some ivory tower on the seventh floor that you can only enter with a special badge. Their doors are always open. They’re involved in the business instead of just managing from a distance.”
Deniz: “Although they do occasionally steal your liquorice.”
So what do you actually do?
Paulien: “Pretty much anything with a legal angle can end up on my desk. That includes product terms and conditions, Dutch and European legislation that affects us, assessing what legal changes mean for Brand New Day, reviewing contracts with our suppliers and partners, and occasionally helping with HR-related legal matters. We’re a critical department, but our goal is always to improve things, never to block them. No two days are ever the same.”
Deniz: “Our work overlaps quite a bit. If a contract lands on Paulien’s desk, part of it usually ends up with me as well. I have a little more control over my own schedule because I deal with fewer ad hoc requests, but my work is still very varied. Privacy is a highly regulated field, but it’s also incredibly practical. Real changes need to happen across the organisation: in IT, Customer Service, Customer Administration and many other departments. Part of my job is acting as an ambassador, helping colleagues understand that privacy is relevant to everything they do. Our customers need to trust that we handle their personal data with care and never sell it or expose it to people who shouldn’t have access.”
What makes you proud?
Paulien: “The people I work with are incredibly talented. I’m also proud of how we’ve grown, not just in size, but in the way we work. The customer’s interests genuinely come first here. People are never just a number. When someone raises a complaint, it’s taken seriously. The fact that customers can still call us and speak to a real person is something quite special these days. Most of all, I’m proud that we’ve stayed true to ourselves. Brand New Day was founded to offer customers honest financial products at a fair price, without hidden catches or small print. You still notice that today, even in conversations with the Executive Board.”
Deniz: “I couldn’t agree more.”
Curious to experience what Paulien and Deniz are talking about? Take a look at our current vacancies, or get in touch with our HR team for a cup of coffee or tea. We’d love to meet you.
