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HAS Green Academy Strengthens Financial Capabilities with Fagro
- Fagro
HAS Green Academy had a full agenda ahead: portfolio management, organizational development, student recruitment, and budget cuts in education. At the same time, a key position opened up in the finance department.
For the Executive Board, this was the moment to not just fill capacity but make the organization more resilient for the future. Through Fagro, Sander Vullings was appointed. First as business controller, later as corporate controller.
Sander doesn't just play an operational role. He advises the Executive Board and acts as sparring partner for the Supervisory Board.
Patrick Cramers - Vice Chair Executive Board HAS Green Academy
A university with a unique position
HAS Green Academy is a university with clear focus: agriculture, food, and environment. With 3,000 students and 500 employees across Den Bosch and Venlo, HAS is at the center of current societal transitions. Unlike broad universities, this specialized focus requires an agile organization and a finance department that adapts to changing priorities.
The challenge: continuity and development
The partnership with Fagro began when the corporate controller decided to scale back his role. He stayed on as business controller, but the need for forward-looking leadership in corporate control remained. That's when Sander came into the picture. He quickly proved to bring more than temporary support.
We deliberately chose a longer engagement. Not just to ensure continuity, but to actually make progress toward the future.
Patrick Cramers - Vice Chair Executive Board HAS Green Academy
The approach: quick action in a complex context
Sander started with a broad exploration of processes, teams, and relationships. His background in the public sector and the school's atmosphere helped him settle in quickly. HAS turned out to be an organization where substantive ambition goes hand in hand with strong collegial culture.
From day one, I noticed colleagues are eager to explain how things work here and how they approach challenges. I had no experience working at a university, but I felt at home pretty quickly.
Sander Vullings - Financial consultant at Fagro
As corporate controller, he fills a dual role: on one hand as advisor to the Executive Board on strategic and financial choices and sparring partner to the Supervisory Board, on the other as manager of the control team. This requires switching between big picture and daily practice, something Sander excels at according to Patrick.
Result: from stable foundation to sharp decisions
The partnership led to visible improvements. There's more calm and structure in financial planning, with clear connection between strategy and resources. A concrete example: the policy letter, previously numbers-heavy, now includes a sharp risk section and substantive justification.
Content and finance are increasingly connected. We make decisions that fit our ambitions and the financial framework.
Sander Vullings - Financial consultant at Fagro
Sander secures this progress by bringing together different perspectives on challenges. The financial perspective isn't decisive, but it's relevant and part of decision-making. By consistently bringing this mindset, the progress becomes sustainable.
What makes this partnership special?
What stands out in the partnership between Fagro and HAS is the balance between independence and involvement. As consultant, Sander takes an open, sometimes critical stance. Including toward the Executive Board. That space exists, and it's valued. According to Patrick, that's where the strength of the partnership lies: it's not about filling a role, but about collectively advancing an organization.
We often talk about 'we' here. Not out of habit, but because it'saccurate. We're truly working together on developing HAS Green Academy.
Patrick Cramers - Vice Chair Executive Board HAS Green Academy