About us
The company founders in an interview
Since 1998, Arqum has been supporting companies, municipalities, counties, and government agencies on their path to sustainable business practices. In an interview marking the company's 25th anniversary, the founders share a very personal account of their journey together.
How did you come up with the idea to found Arqum?
Jörn Peter: It all started when I was lucky enough to meet Uwe and Christian. And we were lucky enough to first work together, then develop a shared business idea, and then become friends. That remains the foundation for a wonderful journey. But it's only just beginning…
Uwe Götz: Even before founding Arqum, we had developed a concept for group consulting at our previous employer and guided the first organizations in Germany to eco-audit certification. At that time, we were still considered niche players in our field and often had to explain the meaning and purpose of environmental management and sustainable business practices. Eventually, we had the idea of developing this topic more professionally with our own company.
A team for more than 25 years: Jörn Peter, Christian Heinrichs, Dr. Uwe Götz (Managing Partners)
Christian Heinrichs, Jörn Peter and Dr. Uwe Götz on the day the company was founded
What was the moment like when it finally became reality and everything began?
Jörn Peter: After we had finalized the articles of association and the notary appointment, found a company name, and everything was ready to go, I set off late one evening shortly before Christmas 1997 for a skiing holiday. That was the first moment of peace, and after ten minutes in the car, I turned around because I suddenly realized: "Now something completely new is beginning!" That's when I knew I absolutely had to rest!
You are three managing partners; haven't you sometimes gotten in each other's way over the past 25 years?
Christian Heinrichs: We never formally divided the tasks, yet we always complemented each other perfectly. This is certainly also due to the fact that we get along very well and exchange ideas extensively. Each of us has our strengths and areas of expertise to which we contribute.
Did you expect back then that Arqum would grow so large and today comprises a team of around 100 employees?
Jörn Peter: No, we started with three people and didn't plan to expand like this. The sheer number of employees isn't even the deciding factor for us. What's important is that we're happy every day to have so many exceptional colleagues, to be able to work on incredibly interesting projects, and to collaborate with so many dedicated clients.
What were the most important topics and projects, and what has changed over time?
Uwe Götz: In Arqum's first year, the city of Munich tasked us with adapting the ÖKOPROFIT concept to German requirements. In numerous subsequent project rounds across Germany, hundreds of companies from a wide range of sectors were involved. This consistently provided us with a comprehensive, cross-industry overview of the requirements and needs of businesses. Today, we manage a diverse array of projects – from implementing standard environmental management systems like EMAS and ISO 50001 for municipalities, organizations, and companies, to providing comprehensive consulting services on current climate and sustainability issues.
How exactly did you manage to transform Arqum from a dedicated pioneer into a successful consulting firm?
Christian Heinrichs: From the outset, we focused on all IT and digitalization topics. Initially, this primarily involved building a computer network, for which we have successfully collaborated with the same IT expert for 25 years. We then very quickly expanded our client base and project responsibilities. The challenge here was to implement a scalable data and information structure in the areas of CRM, a wiki knowledge platform, and compliance audits, enabling us to professionally manage the increasing volume of data.
Were there any professional highlights?
Uwe Götz: It was a great honor for me to lead the EMAS implementation project at the Federal Ministry for the Environment and other exciting organizations, such as the Allianz Arena during the FIFA World Cup in Germany. A particular highlight for me was that our philosophy of jointly advising corporate groups was adopted and promoted for international development cooperation in emerging economies, based on our proposal. Leading these projects, including those in China and India, showed me that the potential of corporate environmental protection can be evaluated within a broader context.
