Winne Benschop
Senior Consultant
My focus is on building support among employees and guiding organizations toward a sustainable future that is both ambitious and achievable.
Sijmen Pelgröm has been working at VolkerWessels for six years now. During that time, he has held various positions and gradually moved toward a role centered on sustainability. He currently works as a sustainability advisor within the Infrastructure division, where he focuses on strategic sustainability issues.
Until last year, Sijmen worked at KWS, one of the largest infrastructure construction companies within VolkerWessels. From there, he was asked to contribute ideas on sustainability at the corporate level as well. VolkerWessels is a highly decentralized organization, with approximately 13,000 employees and about 120 companies. To share sustainability expertise within that structure, Sijmen is involved in a knowledge center that promotes centralized knowledge sharing across the group.
“Right now, I’m mainly focused on the division’s strategy: our goals, policies, and the direction we want to take as an organization,” he says. “We’re doing a lot, but we’re also still figuring out where our priorities should lie.”
Sustainability as a common thread
Sijmen studied the Built Environment in Groningen, specializing in civil engineering. His interest in sustainability began early on, but it wasn’t until later that it became clear this theme would be the common thread running through his work. “My senior project in high school was already about sustainability,” he says. During his studies, the topic kept coming up, though he hadn’t yet decided to make it his career.
Through a job fair, he ended up at KWS, where he started as an intern in work planning. This was followed by a trainee program and various roles within the company. At some point, he realized something was missing. “I started feeling restless, so I worked with a coach to figure out: what really drives me?” It turned out that sustainability was a recurring theme in all his roles.
That discovery led to his role as sustainability coordinator at KWS and laid the foundation for his further development toward a consulting and strategic position. “I have a broad range of interests and enjoy many things,” he says. “But in the end, this is where I’ve ended up, and it feels right.”
Participation in the KIEM Program
Sijmen participated in the KIEM Program because he wanted to deepen his knowledge. “At VolkerWessels, there’s a no-nonsense mentality: you just get to work and learn a lot on the job,” he explains. Even in the field of sustainability, many roles evolve over time, without there always being a set training path for them.
Although he had already gained a great deal of knowledge through years of project and tender experience, Sijmen realized he needed more structure. “I had never really taken a focused course on sustainability. I read a lot and learned on the job, but I wanted to better understand what the ESG landscape looks like, what the law requires, and where the opportunities lie for a company.”
He found that foundation at KIEM. “From day one, we dove into the theory, but always with a clear link to practice. What does this mean, specifically, for your organization?” The program gave him the tools to take more targeted steps within his own context.
Focus, reflection, and networking
In addition to content, KIEM also gave Sijmen time and focus. “In the hustle and bustle of daily life, you often just rush through things. But my role actually requires setting the course: are we doing the right things, and do we need to make adjustments?” The program helped him consciously pause and critically reflect on the direction he is taking together with others.
He also found the network valuable. “You’re surrounded by people who face the same challenges. That helps immensely, because it’s not always easy to discuss such issues within your own organization.”
For Sijmen, the strength of KIEM lies in the combination of elements. “A solid foundation, the space to work with focus, and a network to bounce ideas off of. That’s how you translate theory into real-world application within your company.” He enjoyed attending the program sessions and found them very energizing.
A no-regret investment
For professionals who are unsure about participating in the KIEM program, Sijmen has a clear answer. “It takes time and money — it’s an investment. But in terms of substance, I see it as a no-regret decision.”
The foundation he gained allows him to discuss sustainability with greater confidence. “You’re given guidance, but also the freedom to apply it to your own organization.” Finally, he emphasizes the importance of connection. “You can sometimes feel quite isolated in this field. That’s why it’s nice to team up with people who are dealing with similar issues.”
Would you like to join Sijmen in the KIEM program to boost your sustainability potential? There are still a few spots available for the program, which starts in October. Click the button below for more information about the program and how to register!
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