Sometimes Britt deliberately takes the train to work. Not because it is faster, but because it gives her the chance to walk through Schiphol's terminal before heading to the main office.

“My work can sometimes feel quite abstract. We’re dealing with such large amounts of money and such major projects. It’s nice to see the actual result of that work every now and then.”

When Britt tells people she works at Schiphol, she often gets the same reaction.

“People say: ‘Oh, so you probably get to fly for free?’ But of course, that’s not how it works.”

As a Corporate Finance Advisor, Britt works on financing the investments Schiphol makes in the airport.

“My role is to help make sure Schiphol remains financially resilient. You could think of us as the guardians of the treasury.”

No new pier without a financial plan

Schiphol is investing significantly in the airport over the coming years. After a long period of making the most of existing infrastructure, the focus is now on renewal.

“The airport needs to develop along with passenger numbers and changing expectations. We want Schiphol to remain one of the world's leading airports.”

Up to 2035, Schiphol plans to invest €10 billion in better and more sustainable infrastructure, including a new terminal and renovated piers. These investments are intended to improve the passenger experience and create space for larger and quieter aircraft.

Britt does not decide what Schiphol builds.

“My role is to make sure the investment programme remains financially feasible and can be financed responsibly.”

That is also what makes this an interesting time for Britt to work at Schiphol.

“Our investment programme is increasing our financing needs. Our team plays an important role in securing and managing the funding required to make Schiphol’s ambitions possible in a responsible and future\-proof way.”

Keeping financial surprises to a minimum

Together with her team, Britt closely monitors Schiphol’s financial position. They make sure the organisation can borrow when necessary and safeguard its credit rating, which influences factors such as the interest rates Schiphol pays when borrowing money.

With an investment programme of this scale, finding the right balance between borrowing and using the organisation’s own resources is essential.

“We’re constantly looking for that balance: securing the right financing, staying flexible and protecting Schiphol’s financial resilience at the same time.”

Every month, the team prepares a cash flow forecast. By looking ahead at income, expenditure and budgets, they can identify when additional financing may be needed.

Things rarely become truly tense.

“That’s exactly the point. We want to look ahead as accurately as possible, so things don't become tense.”

A different financial question every day

At many large organisations, treasury, which manages financing and liquidity, and mergers and acquisitions are handled by separate teams. At Schiphol, they come together.

That means Britt does not only work on financing the airport. She is also involved in strategic transactions.

“For example, we were involved in the acquisition of several shops and the creation of a joint venture to further develop the duty\-free offering.”

The team also works closely with Schiphol International and provides financial expertise for new investment opportunities.

Schiphol holds interests in Brisbane Airport and Hobart Airport in Australia and is represented on their boards. Britt prepares financial information for those meetings.

“That variety is what makes the work so interesting. Because our team is relatively small, you quickly get a lot of responsibility and work closely with the people making the decisions.”

Where everything comes together

What Britt values most about Schiphol is the combination of complexity and tangible results.

“Schiphol is a special place where so many people and stories come together.”

Passengers mainly see the terminal, shops and aircraft. Behind the scenes, a large organisation works every day to keep the airport running and connect the Netherlands with the rest of the world.

“From my role, I contribute to a financially healthy organisation so Schiphol can turn its ambitions into reality.”