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    Interview with Koen Overtoom Financial performance

    The road ahead

    In order to meet the expectations of our stakeholders, including the undertakings under the Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI), and to bridge the gap between our fossil‑based present and a sustainable future, Tata Steel Nederland must establish a solid foundation. This foundation is critical to ensuring that the Green Steel transition is both credible and deliverable. To make sure that we address the transformation challenges we face in a structured and forward‑looking manner, TSN has implemented a company-wide transformation programme: SCALE.

    As part of SCALE, we distinguish three strategic pillars:

    1. Strengthening financial performance and resilience. A structurally improved financial performance and financial position are essential to sustain day‑to‑day operations, restore resilience and create the financial capacity required for the significant upfront investments associated with the Green Steel Project. 

    2. Preparing the organisation for Green Steel. This includes technical readiness, programme execution capability and alignment of the broader SCALE transformation with the Green Steel roadmap, enabling TSN to move from plans and commitments to implementation.

    3. Ensuring robust compliance and governance. Strengthening compliance, risk management and environmental and health‑related governance is a prerequisite for regaining trust, meeting regulatory and societal expectations and fulfilling the obligations set out in the JLoI and the future Tailor‑Made Agreement.

    These three strategic pillars are not separate projects, but parts of one integrated movement that strengthens TSN as a whole. SCALE brings together our strategic and operational efforts and provides a common direction for change across the organisation. In this sense, SCALE serves as a new ‘processor’: a shared way of working through which we create value for all our stakeholders. More details on each pillar are set out in the sections Financial Performance, Green Steel Project and Licence to Operate.

    Culture shift through SCALE

    Through SCALE, we drive change at every level of the company by working in a more forward‑looking and disciplined way, reducing complexity and duplication, and enabling faster and clearer decision‑making. It requires strong leadership, ownership at all levels and a clear focus on execution. Sustainability underpins all elements of SCALE. It is not optional; it is imperative. It means that we must produce, think and work differently, in close collaboration with our customers, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.

    SCALE stands for Sustainability, Cost‑Efficiency, Agility, Leadership and Execution. Together, these elements define the culture we envision, the direction of our transformation and the way in which we operate as an organisation. Clear behavioural principles that are intrinsically linked to SCALE serve as our compass. They guide us in doing what is necessary every day to ensure that our company functions in a healthy and responsible way; we do whatever it takes, while minimising harm for each other, for our environment and for our future.

    As part of  SCALE and the broader organisational restructuring, we launched a leadership development programme for TSN's senior and middle management. Participants took part in three online sessions focusing on key leadership topics. Among other themes, the sessions addressed how SCALE, its associated KPIs and behaviours can be explained to teams, as well as how SCALE can be embedded into performance management and goal‑setting to support the development of a stronger performance culture. The programme helped create a shared language and align expectations, supporting a more consistent application of SCALE principles in daily leadership practices.

    “It is all about SCALE. We are going to change, just like the world around us. Cleaner production, higher standards and full responsibility.”