Ariad × Santander Consumer Finance: Building a digital future in the Benelux

Client challenge
Recruiting digital specialists to break through in the Benelux market, amid fierce competition for talent and low brand awareness.

Ariad’s solution
Leveraging an extensive network and deep knowledge of the digital talent landscape to place key specialists.

Result 
A growing digital team laying the foundations for Santander Consumer Finance’s long-term success in the Benelux.

Santander Consumer Finance had a clear ambition: become a leading digital player in the Benelux market. 

Facing a fierce competition for top digital talent, they needed the right people, fast  and a partner who truly understood the digital landscape. Ariad delivered.

As the 5th largest bank in Europe, Santander has built its growth on a relentless focus on digital customer experience. 

In the Benelux, its consumer finance arm faced a specific challenge: breaking through in a competitive market where the brand remained largely unknown. 

The strategy was bold: develop an online experience that goes far beyond what competitors offer, putting customers in full control of their finances and driving meaningful brand awareness across the region.

To make that vision a reality, Santander Consumer Finance needed specialists who understood both digital transformation and customer-first thinking. 

Roles spanning mobile personalisation, online lead generation, and digital strategy had to be filled with people who could hit the ground running. 

Finding those profiles, in a market where digital talent is scarce and highly sought after, required more than traditional recruitment methods.

Where Ariad made the difference

Santander Consumer Finance turned to Ariad to build the team behind their digital ambitions. 

Leveraging deep networks and genuine knowledge of the digital talent landscape, Ariad placed specialists across key roles — each one selected not just for their technical skills, but for their ability to drive Santander's customer-first strategy forward in the Benelux.

"Ariad has proven to be an excellent partner in our search for digital talent. To compete for these specific profiles, traditional recruiting practices are not enough," says Karine Herrygers, HR Manager at Santander Consumer Finance Benelux. "Ariad has the right setup with social media, strong online networking skills and profound digital knowledge. Their recruiters also speak the language of the candidates."

This combination of market insight, digital fluency, and a hands-on approach is what sets Ariad apart. 

Rather than reacting to vacancies, Ariad works as a long-term strategic partner — staying continuously aligned with Santander's evolving needs and moving fast when the right profile is required.

The result is a growing digital team laying the foundations for Santander Consumer Finance's long-term success in the Benelux — and a recruitment partnership built to scale alongside their ambitions.