PROFILE

I grew up in Fryslân (the Netherlands), got degrees in urban planning as well as economics from Groningen University — both summa cum laude — and a Ph.D. from Tilburg University, then moved to McKinsey & Co.

In the mid-1990s, while still in my twenties, I was honored to be appointed as the ABN AMRO Chair Professor of International Business at Nyenrode University — both ‘bijzonder hoogleraar’ and university professor — and as Chair Professor of Strategy — ‘buitengewoon hoogleraar’ — at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. As of the late 1990s (and up to today), I have been a visiting professor at various universities and business schools.

In the late 1990s, while still a professor, I took on the role of managing director at KPN Finance, the finance company of the largest telecom provider in the Netherlands. In the early 2000s, I ventured into fundamental research, working through my own research firm, and entered the financial services industry with a hedge fund. These two synergistic activities are closely intertwined — up to the present. This website only serves as a dedicated space to showcase the fruits of some research activities.

Since the late 1990s, I have served on the supervisory boards of several companies. To provide a glimpse of the diversity, I have held positions with Ricoh Netherlands (the Dutch subsidiary of Ricoh Ltd.), NRC Media Group (a leading Dutch media firm and part of Mediahuis), Egeria Investments (a private equity firm, where I served as vice-chair), Deerns (an engineering firm), MCi (the world's leading automotive actuator manufacturer), and Rijk Zwaan (the world’s fourth-largest vegetable breeding company, vice-chair).

PUBLICATIONS

I‘ve written several books, including De Fokker/DASA Deal (ISBN 9781985724938) and KLM — Waarheen Vliegt Gij? (ISBN 9781985758704), which accurately predicted Fokker’s collapse and KLM’s 'going down’ scenario due to the rapid rise of low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet. In addition, I have authored over 500 articles published in scientific and management journals, as well as numerous op-eds in various Dutch and foreign newspapers. Furthermore, as a writer, I've contributed to several iconic advertising campaigns. For example, I wrote ING Bank’s ad Succes in het buitenland begint in het binnenland.

PRO-BONO WORK

I’ve served as a pro-bono advisor to various governments and had the privilege of sitting on several prominent juries throughout my career. These include the Dutch Export Award jury, where we annually selected the top Dutch multinational; the Young Captain Award, dedicated to recognizing Holland's top managerial talent; and, as chair, the Tros Aktua Export jury, which showcased Holland’s leading international businesses on Dutch TV during the 1980s and 1990s.