Willy Mahieu-Scholte was the proverbial ‘woman behind the man,’ who with her great commercial and business acumen, was frequently the one who brought to fruition the opportunities envisaged by her husband. Particularly with regard to the development of Ravil Intersurance BV, Interfisc Group’s in-house intermediary, she made a great contribution. Willy saw to it that our clients, employers of cross-border personnel in the Netherlands, could benefit from a complete network of insurers and insurance. Crucial to the success of this network was her ability to explain to employers and employees why it was so important to provide for such aspects as supplementary pensions or such contingencies as disability. No sinecure, in view of the enormous differences that already existed then (and continue to exist) between the social security systems of the different countries involved.

Thanks to her great charm and powers of persuasion, and talent for empathising with others, she succeeded in helping countless employers and employees to effect cross-border employment relationships, with happy employers and employees as a result.

The qualities and approach of Willy Mahieu-Scholte were of course also apparent to Interfisc’s own personnel, whom she was always ready to help. And as ‘the woman behind the man,’ she brought much warmth into the company and exhibited understanding and sympathy whenever and wherever they were needed. For everyone who did his/her best for the company, she was determined to enable them to find the right balance between work and private life – not only because she was convinced that such a balance was a prerequisite for good personnel performance, but also simply because she thought everyone deserved to be happy.

The past few years, since the death of her partner in 2013, were highly demanding for Willy, both in professional and private life. It was due to her efforts that Interfisc could continue as a family company following the death of its founder. She also ensured that the principles on which Interfisc was originally founded were not lost and indeed became all the more anchored in today’s Interfisc, the company of which we all are so proud.

Her support, warmth and sympathy shall be sorely missed.