USG Finance

Talent development as the foundation of USG Finance

Why should every company have a multi-year talent development program? In this article, Anna Catharina Ashouwer, Managing Director of USG Professionals, explains why they see talent development as a crucial tool for both attracting and retaining talent. We explore USG Professionals’ vision, their collaboration with Engagement Builders, and of course, the results. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at this leading staffing firm.

“Our people are our gold. We invest not only in their knowledge and skills, but in their overall development as professionals and as human beings. Our success with clients depends on having the very best people.”

The Managing Director of USG Professionals started her own journey in 2003 as a trainee at USG Legal and, thanks to her growth and development, gradually took on more responsibility. In her role as Managing Director, she oversees all the company’s Professionals labels: USG Finance, USG MarCom, USG Legal and USG HR.

Her own experience means she understands better than anyone the added value of a strong development programme.

“Professionals who go through this programme become more confident, more resilient and immediately add value for clients.”

Anna Catharina Ashouwer, USG Professionals

USG Finance’s vision on talent development

At USG Finance, talent development is not just a strategic tool but a fundamental pillar of the organisation. In a sector where the competition for talent is fierce, USG Finance distinguishes itself by structurally investing in the growth and development of its professionals. This means not only providing training, but also actively guiding and supporting them throughout their career paths.

“In finance, you are always dealing with a tight labour market,” says Ashouwer. “From juniors to seniors: finding and retaining good people is a constant challenge. And that is exactly why investing in people is essential. It’s not only about knowledge. It’s about ensuring that people feel seen, that they are given the opportunity to grow and to follow a path that suits them as both individuals and professionals.

Our professionals must be able to switch seamlessly between assignments. One moment they may be developing a business case for an educational institution, and a few months later solving a complex financial issue for a government department. That requires more than technical expertise: you need to be skilled and experienced, but also communicatively strong, capable of advising and able to stand firmly in your shoes.

And talent development does more than help retain employees, it is also a crucial instrument for attracting new talent. In a market where finance professionals have plenty of options, organisations need to offer something extra. Candidates increasingly choose an employer that not only offers a competitive salary and interesting assignments but also invests in their personal and professional growth. With a strong development programme, USG Finance demonstrates that the job satisfaction and career prospects of its employees are a priority.”

The collaboration with Engagement Builders: from idea to reality

To develop talent sustainably, a strategic partnership was needed with an organisation that understands both the market and the needs of professionals. Engagement Builders proved to be the ideal partner. With their expertise in learning and development pathways, they created a tailor-made programme that goes far beyond a traditional traineeship. This programme now forms the backbone of the professional growth journey at USG Finance.

“We did not want a standard traineeship that ends after a year, but a development trajectory that supports people for five years and beyond. Our former resource manager had a vision for a long-term pathway for our professionals: not just a starting point, but a continuous route that keeps evolving. Engagement Builders helped us make that vision concrete. This isn’t a programme you sketch out on the back of an envelope and implement. It is a strategically designed programme that is continuously evaluated and adapted to what the market, our clients and our people need.

Together with us, Engagement Builders has put a clear structure in place that provides an ongoing development path for our professionals. It begins with the traineeship, where people are trained not only in their technical field but also work intensively on their soft skills and personal leadership. This is followed by the mastery pathway, where specialisation and deepening are central. It covers themes such as AI, Power BI and CSRD, subjects every finance professional encounters, whether you are just starting out or have years of experience. For our experienced professionals, we have a senior programme, because learning does not stop once you are experienced. That is precisely when you want to keep developing, challenge yourself and grow in leadership.”

The impact: What are the outcomes?

“The difference is visible. Professionals who go through this trajectory are more confident, more resilient and add immediate value for clients. Our own business controller at USG Finance is a perfect example. He started as a trainee, progressed, and within just a few years became a fully-fledged sparring partner for the business. That is exactly what we aim for: people who are not only strong in their expertise, but who also genuinely think along. And we hear the same from clients. They tell us our people stand out because of their broad perspective and their ability to make complex issues practical. That is exactly why we do this.”

Ashouwer is full of praise for the collaboration with Engagement Builders:

“The collaboration with Engagement Builders is incredibly sustainable. They not only build a strong development programme but remain involved and ensure that it continues to evolve. They listen to our vision, adapt to changing circumstances and invest in the relationship, both with our professionals and with us as a client. You can tell they never stand still; they continuously innovate and renew. They are also reliable and agile. They have an extensive network of trainers and can switch quickly if a particular group needs a different approach. That makes them not just a partner, but an essential link in our talent development.”

Looking ahead

For Ashouwer, learning and development will continue to play a crucial role in the success of their organisation:

“Learning never stops and remains the key to success. We continuously invest in the latest developments, such as data analysis, AI and strategic business skills, so that our professionals are not only technically skilled, but also able to contribute at a strategic level. The finance professional of the future can no longer rely solely on the numbers; he or she must be able to advise, outline scenarios and act as a fully-fledged discussion partner for management, based on their ability to connect with the client and understand their needs. Our collaboration with Engagement Builders ensures that we not only move with the times but stay ahead of them. By continuing to innovate together, we keep building a future in which talent development is central and our people make real impact in the organisations they work for.”