Charlotte Hanneman (Philips): ‘Turning innovation into growth’
After taking office, the Philips CFO’s primary objective was to bring stability and structure to the company. ‘In a volatile world, we need to focus on what we can control: working more efficiently and investing in innovation. By bringing our products to market faster, we improve healthcare while accelerating our growth. I believe that combination is crucial.’
Read more
The 2027 AGM season starts now
The path from investors’ expectations to the final voting outcomes at the AGM is becoming increasingly complex. This underlines the importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with shareholders. Companies should therefore develop a clear understanding of their shareholder base and of the developments influencing investors’ expectations and voting behaviour.
China’s AI ecosystem: What can Europe learn?
Bo Ji, board member and chief representative for the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business Europe, on how distribution, data, ecosystems, and speed are key to China’s AI lead.
Jeroen Hoencamp: ‘Avoid being a one-trick pony’
A company can comply with all governance rules and still go bankrupt, says Jeroen Hoencamp. Supervisory board members must therefore do more than just ‘tick boxes’ to determine how compliant a company is. ‘Focus on discussions that lead to a better corporate strategy.’
Femke Halsema: ‘Every day, I see how resilient this city is’
‘Public values must take center stage, not the market.’ Femke Halsema, mayor of Amsterdam, sees a new form of public-private partnership emerging in which companies feel a stronger connection to the city.
Dan Dorner (ABN Amro): ‘We want to mobilize capital’
Dan Dorner sees opportunities to strengthen our competitiveness and resilience. ABN AMRO aims to play an active role in this by mobilizing capital for strategic transitions.
Rob Schuurman (Nedap): ‘Creating funky things that matter’
Nedap’s strategy remains in place, says CEO Rob Schuurman, but the technology company needs to pick up the pace. ‘I want to align our pace with that of the market.’
Sponsorship beyond the VIP box
Everyone agrees that sport is important. So how can businesses make a positive contribution? That, and more, was discussed during the National Sports Debate.
Stephen van Rooyen (Ziggo Group): ‘Forget the competition’
The CEO discusses the decisions he made to get VodafoneZiggo back on track after years of customer loss and to restore confidence within the organization.
Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap): ‘Do not let yourself be limited’
Constantijn van Oranje aims to help Dutch tech companies grow. He has a clear message for those currently hitting a wall: ‘Do what is best for your company.’
Michel Verwoest (TVM): ‘Electrification to survive’
The transportation sector must electrify. Michel Verwoest on a daily basis witnesses how members struggle with the energy transition. There are also opportunities.
Laura van Geest (AFM): ‘Taking your intuition seriously’
Good governance starts with giving yourself and each other the space to seriously discuss discomfort, doubt, and moral questions, says Laura van Geest.
Jorge Vazquez (Randstad): ‘Non-negotiable investments’
As demand for personnel declined, staffing company Randstad continued to invest heavily. CFO Jorge Vazquez on capitalizing on headwinds.
The National Investment Institution as a catalyst for innovative technology
We outline the six conditions that will enable the National Investment Institution to become a successful driver of innovation.
Stefan Sleijfer (Erasmus MC): ‘AI must contribute to better care’
The chair of Erasmus MC navigates the balance between innovation and the human element every day. ‘Sometimes I have to stand my ground. Or say a firm no.’
‘Private equity and impact go hand in hand’
Edo Pfennings of Mentha Capital and CEO Leontien Hasselman of ImpactBuying discuss the dynamics of their partnership. ‘We spent a lot of time really getting to know each other.’
‘Startups and corporates can strengthen each other’
What is needed for the Dutch innovative startup ecosystem to produce European market leaders? And what role can investors and companies play in this?
Ingrid de Swart (a.s.r.): ‘This job is even more intense than I thought’
Ingrid de Swart prepared thoroughly for her new role as CEO, but is nonetheless surprised by the extent to which she constantly has to be ‘on.’
Heleen Herbert: ‘Strengthening the investment funnel’
With a background in the business world, minister Heleen Herbert is more than familiar with the challenges entrepreneurs face.
Annette Mosman and Willemien Terpstra: ‘Do not let AI run away with you’
As a CEO, how do you deal with AI? The days when AI was the sole responsibility of IT seem largely over, but does that mean that you, as CEO, should take charge of the issue yourself? Willemien Terpstra, CEO of public grid operator Gasunie, and Annette Mosman, CEO of pension administrator APG, believe so.
‘Pensions should not be a black box’
Making pensions more accessible… that is the mission of BeFrank. On the fifteenth anniversary of the defined-contribution pension provider, CEO Kaya de Lange and Commercial Director Jan Hein Rhebergen look back and ahead. How a challenger in the market is now leading the way in the transition to the new pension system.
Pieter Duisenberg (Netherlands Court of Audit): ‘A passion for accountability’
The President of the Netherlands Court of Audit is more interested in concrete goals and results than in highbrow visions.
Allard Castelein: ‘The path to greater resilience will be long’
The Special Representative for the Raw Materials Strategy advises on how to make supply chains more resilient. To begin with, this requires increased awareness.
‘We need to work together to help startups grow’
Julia Padberg (SET Ventures) and Alex Bakker (Photon Capital) understand what is needed to help innovative startups grow into the champions of the future.
Three experts on AI in the healthcare sector
These three healtcare executives agree on one thing: good governance in this new era does not start with technology, but with leadership.
‘A modern leader needs a strong sense of reality’
Two CEO's from the Northern Netherlands discuss the choices executives must make when the environment is changing fundamentally.
Derk te Bokkel (Royal IHC): ‘The only way was forward’
After years of setbacks, Royal IHC, the shipbuilder of yesteryear, has reinvented itself. The company is now primarily known as a systems integrator.
Stacey Caywood (Wolters Kluwer): ‘AI gives us new energy’
While outsiders and shareholders are sometimes skeptical about the impact of ai on Wolters Kluwer’s revenue model, Caywood puts the threat into perspective.
The five pitfalls of CEO succession
Finding the right CEO is probably the most complex task facing the supervisory board. A successful succession requires a strategic, ongoing process. How does a board approach this effectively?
CEO NEO NL: ‘Nuclear power plants are long-term projects’
The CEO of the state-owned company Nuclear Energy Organization Netherlands (NEO NL) is working on the delivery of two new large-scale nuclear power plants.
Why AI is also a governance issue
AI is developing rapidly and unpredictably. that no one knows exactly what to prepare for. How do executives make sensible decisions about a technology of which the full consequences are still unknown?
Base your compensation policy on what really matters
The fear of lagging behind the market when compensating executives almost always wins out. Frederic Barge, founder of Reward Value, advocates for an active shift.
Marike Bonhof (Ymere): ‘Small investment, huge impact’
The CFO of the housing association Ymere faces major social challenges. 'Not everything can be done at once, even though it really should be.’
Janine Vos (Rabobank): ‘We need to recalibrate HR’
What must organizations do to survive in the digital age? Janine Vos, CHRO at Rabobank, talks about the enormous implications of the digital age for HR and the workforce.
Gender equality at the top: five lost years
Rosalien van ’t Foort-Diepeveen sees that the women's quota in the Dutch boardroom has not brought about the necessary change.
Toon meer 
