Jan van Iersel and Kitty Kwakman form new Executive Board

The Supervisory Board of VHL University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is pleased to announce that, following a careful procedure, two good, experienced directors have been appointed. The newly designated directors are Jan van Iersel (as chairman of the Executive Board) and Kitty Kwakman (as a member of the Executive Board). Both directors will take up their position as of 1 September 2019.

Diane Keizer will be leaving on 1 September 2019 due to her retirement. This creates a vacancy, which will be filled by Kitty Kwakman. Peter van Dongen will also retire – he will leave on 1 January 2020. Jan van Iersel will commence on 1 September 2019. An immediate start after the summer with two new directors means that an effective transfer is possible and the continuity of the activities is guaranteed.

Chairman of the Executive Board

Jan van Iersel studied Business Economics at Erasmus University and began working as a teacher at the school for higher education in economics and management (Dutch abbreviation: HEAO) in Zwolle in 1987. This school later became part of Windesheim, where he held various management positions. In 2014, he became a member of the Executive Board of NHL where, during the merger period with Stenden in 2017-2018, he was chairman of the Executive Board of NHL. From 1 January 2018, he was also a member of the Executive Board of the merged NHL Stenden organisation. Jan is known as a real ‘education man’, who believes contact with students and staff is very important. Educational quality and student satisfaction are of paramount importance to him.

Member of the Executive Board

Kitty Kwakman worked at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences for more than 9 years, where she was also a member of the executive board for 8 years. She attaches great importance to work in which social relevance, cooperation and quality are key values. She was one of the first 14 professors in the Netherlands and has had a varied career. She studied and worked as a nurse, graduated in adult education, obtained her PhD, and was employed as a university teacher, director and lecturer. Since 2002, she has greatly enjoyed working in higher professional education, initially at HAN University of Applied Sciences and subsequently at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

Experienced directors

“We are extremely happy to have brought in two very experienced directors with Jan and Kitty, who will be able to successfully continue the line established by Peter and Diane. With their broad knowledge and experience, they will be an excellent addition to the team and they complement each other well.” Rob Mooren, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.