Meet the 4moster: Bernt van Walree, Senior Quantitative Consultant

At 4most, we are fortunate enough to work with a rich variety of colleagues that all bring unique perspectives to the areas of the business they contribute to. We caught up with Bernt van Walree, a Senior Quantitative Consultant based in our Amsterdam office, to learn a bit about his role and what he enjoys, both in and out of work.

“What I enjoy most is the combination of technical depth and practical impact…”

Q1: Can you give us an overview of your role and responsibilities at 4most?

I’m a credit risk consultant in the Amsterdam office of 4most. My main focus is helping banks navigate regulatory challenges, but I also get involved whenever quantitative skills are needed to solve other financial risk problems.

Most of my work sits within credit risk, where I’ve worked on a broad range of projects, from credit pricing and risk modelling to data analytics and model validation. That variety keeps things interesting. One project might involve building a pricing model, while the next is about validating someone else’s or explaining technical results to non-technical stakeholders.

What I enjoy most is the combination of technical depth and practical impact, translating complex models and methodologies into insights that help banks make better decisions.

Q2: Can you give us a bit of background into how you ended up in your current role?

I studied at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, starting with a bachelor’s in Business Analytics before moving on to a master’s in the same field. Along the way, I discovered I really enjoyed statistical theory and its applications in financial economics, which led me to pursue a second master’s in Financial Econometrics.

This combination of mathematics and finance shaped what I was looking for in a job. I soon came across VB Risk Advisory, a firm that clearly valued technical expertise, while also placing real importance on finding people who fit well into a sociable, collaborative team. I took that opportunity and haven’t looked back since.

About a year ago, VB Risk Advisory was acquired by 4most, and that same combination of technical expertise and a genuinely social culture carried straight through.

“Seeing the final result come together felt like a real achievement for all of us…”

Q3: What are some 4most initiatives you’ve been involved in?

I’ve been involved in quite a few initiatives, both at VB Risk Advisory and now at 4most. I enjoy organising activities with friends, and the company has always encouraged me to bring that same energy into the office. Over time, I’ve organised ski trips to Austria, summer boat trips through Amsterdam’s canals, and football watch parties.

Beyond the social side, I’m also active in the marketing workgroup, where I contribute to how we present ourselves as a company. For me, getting involved in these broader initiatives is about more than just having fun. It’s a way to build stronger connections with both the company and my colleagues, and to feel genuinely connected to the team I work with every day.

Q4: What has been your proudest 4most moment so far?

For me, it was the reshaping of the Amsterdam office marketing plan, which we worked on alongside an external agency. One of the key outputs was a marketing film, designed to be cut into snippets and shared with clients and prospective colleagues, giving them a real sense of the kind of company we are.

Even with external support, it involved a lot of work behind the scenes, especially from our marketing team, who coordinated everything on the day of filming. Seeing the final result come together felt like a real achievement for all of us, not just because of the end product, but because of the teamwork that went into it.

It’s a moment that still stands out to me as a great example of what we can build when everyone pulls in the same direction.

“I’m motivated by a constant drive to learn and improve…”

Q5: What do you enjoy most about your role?

I really enjoy the project-based nature of the work. Traineeships are popular for a reason, the variety they offer is hard to beat, and I genuinely feel that consultancy at 4most gives you that same experience, if not more.

Every project is different, which means you’re constantly learning and being exposed to different aspects of financial risk management, from modelling and pricing to validation and regulatory implementation.

A real bonus is that you get to do this alongside great colleagues. The combination of varied, intellectually challenging work and a genuinely social team is what makes this role so enjoyable for me.

Q6: What motivates you?

I’m motivated by a constant drive to learn and improve. When I feel like I’m missing knowledge in an area I’m interested in, I want to dive in and really master the subject, and that’s exactly what I get to do in my work. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a new modelling technique, a regulatory framework, or a different way of approaching a problem.

What gives me the most satisfaction, though, is taking on complex topics and regulations, working through them, and ultimately delivering something that genuinely helps clients.

“There’s little point pursuing a path where your heart isn’t really in it…”

Q7: What are some things you enjoy doing outside of work?

I really enjoy spending time with friends, whether that’s going out for dinner, grabbing drinks, or going to the movies.

I also like to stay active. I jog regularly, and otherwise you’ll find me playing field hockey or tennis, which is a great way to get outside and enjoy the weather, although here in Amsterdam that’s often questionable at best.

Beyond that, I’m a big football fan, and I love cooking, particularly Asian cuisine. One of my most memorable recent trips was to Bangkok, where I finally got to try a really good pad thai.

Q8: What advice would you give someone wanting to follow a similar career path to you?

My main piece of advice is to look for something you genuinely enjoy doing. There’s little point pursuing a path where your heart isn’t really in it, the motivation simply won’t be sustainable.

Another piece of advice, which I underestimated when job-hunting myself, is how important your colleagues are. I didn’t really weigh this heavily at the time, but having experienced it firsthand, I now believe it’s one of the most important factors in whether you enjoy your work. A good group of colleagues can completely change your day-to-day experience, regardless of how interesting the work itself is.