Arjen Huijs
CFO at Polaroid
The vital link between academic theory and practical application [...] Challenges, learning, and a lot of fun.
Dear Members of FSG,
My name is Arjen Huijs, and I am currently serving as the CFO at Polaroid, where my journey in finance and leadership spans across numerous prestigious roles, from big four accounting firms to major corporate leadership. My story with FSG began during my student years at the University of Groningen from 1994 to 1999, where I served as the Secretary and Head of the FSG Magazine.
These roles, particularly my time managing the FSG Magazine, laid a solid foundation for my career. I was thrust into a dynamic environment that demanded both creative and analytical skills. We were a close-knit team that often stayed up until midnight at Zernike, crafting the magazine piece by piece, embodying the true spirit of "work hard, play hard."
One of the most thrilling aspects of my role was the autonomy and the immediate responsibility to execute—translating vision into reality. This taught me that "vision without execution is merely dreaming." It was during these formative years that I learned the importance of execution power: if you want something done, you should just do it.
The fun wasn't just confined to work; it extended to organizing and participating in numerous activities, including sailing trips, which not only cemented many lifelong friendships but also established a trusted network that has supported me throughout my career. The mantra "do it today, not tomorrow" has been a guiding principle, as what you fear the most is often fear itself.
My journey from the pages of the FSG Magazine to the executive boardrooms of global corporations underscores the vital link between academic theory and practical application. This path has been enriched with challenges, learning, and a lot of fun—all elements that started shaping during my days at the university.
I hope my story inspires current members to seize their days at FSG with both hands, as the experiences you gain here are the building blocks of your future successes.
Arjen Huijs