Aart Jan de Geus

Aart Jan de Geus (born 28 July 1955) is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and businessman. He served as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs from 2002 to 2007.[1] Then he worked as Deputy Secretary-General for the OECD.[2] From 2012 to 2019, De Geus was Chairman and CEO of the Bertelsmann Stiftung.[3][4] Since January 2020, he has been Chairman of the Goldschmeding Foundation.[5]

Aart Jan de Geus
Aart Jan de Geus in 2012
Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
In office
30 May 2007 – 31 December 2011
Secretary-GeneralJosé Ángel Gurría
Preceded byUnknown
Succeeded byYves Leterme
Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport
In office
16 October 2002 – 27 May 2003
Prime MinisterJan Peter Balkenende
Preceded byEduard Bomhoff
Succeeded byHans Hoogervorst
Minister of Social Affairs
and Employment
In office
22 July 2002 – 22 February 2007
Prime MinisterJan Peter Balkenende
Preceded byWillem Vermeend
Succeeded byPiet Hein Donner
Member of the Social and
Economic Council
In office
1 January 1993 – 22 July 2002
Personal details
Born
Aart Jan de Geus

(1955-07-28) 28 July 1955
Doorn, Netherlands
Political partyChristian Democratic Appeal
(from 1980)
Other political
affiliations		Anti-Revolutionary Party
(until 1980)
Children3 children
Residence(s)Doorn, Netherlands
Alma materUtrecht University
(Bachelor of Accountancy)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
(Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws)
Radboud University Nijmegen
(Bachelor of Science in Law)
OccupationPolitician · Civil servant · Jurist · Trade Union leader · Accountant · Political consultant · Management consultant · Businessman · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Lobbyist

Education

De Geus began studying law at the Utrecht University while also training as a bookkeeper. He ended his training after two years in order to concentrate exclusively on his studies. He later transferred to Erasmus University Rotterdam, where the law program had a more practical orientation.[6] After receiving his Master of Laws in 1980, he did post-graduate studies in labor law at Radboud University Nijmegen.[7]

Career

In 1980, de Geus became a lawyer for the industrial trade union of the Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond (CNV).[8] In subsequent years he rose through the organization, eventually joining the board of directors.[6] In 1988, he joined the umbrella organization of the CNV confederation and was appointed its deputy chairman in 1993. His responsibilities in this position included social security, pensions, health and employment.[7] He was also a member of the Socioeconomic Advisory Council, the Dutch government’s highest body for economic and social policy issues, one that is anchored in the constitution and whose members are appointed by the crown.[9][10]

In 1998, De Geus became a partner at the corporate consultancy Boer & Croon in Amsterdam.[11] There he worked on projects relating to the welfare state for both public and private institutions.[9] He also joined the supervisory board of the Academic Hospital of Maastricht, the advisory council of the Association of Dutch Health Insurers, and the Council of Churches where he was responsible for social policy issues. He was also a member of the National Refugees Council.[9]

Public office

In the mid-1970s, De Geus joined the youth organization of the Dutch ARP (Anti-Revolutionary Party), a predecessor of the CDA. Through the years he held various positions in both parties.[6] In 2002, Jan Peter Balkenende appointed de Geus as minister of social affairs and employment (first Balkenende cabinet). He also served as health minister for eight months.[12][13] He was a member of the Dutch government until 2007 (second and third Balkenende cabinets).[14][15]

While in office, de Geus initiated comprehensive social policy reforms with the goal of making the country's social security system more sustainable and including more people in the labor market.[16][17] For example, he restructured the public- and private-sector job referral systems. He also included local-level governments in the funding structure for social assistance programs.[7] He was considered a supporter of the country's polder model, an approach that brings together employers, trade unions and government experts to negotiate wages and working conditions.[18] Despite his earlier activities for the CNV trade union confederation, his relationship with the country's trade unions proved difficult.[6][19] In 2004, he withstood a vote of no confidence brought by the opposition Social Democratic, Socialist and Green parties.[20][21]

In 2007, de Geus was appointed deputy secretary-general of the OECD.[22][23] In this role he advanced a number of causes including environmentally friendly economic growth. He also criticized the division present in the German job market, above all since it allowed young and well-trained workers to benefit to a greater degree from the country's economic upturn.[24][25]

Bertelsmann Stiftung

In 2011, the Bertelsmann Stiftung appointed de Geus to its executive board.[26][27] In 2012, he became the board's chairman when Gunter Thielen retired.[28] The Bertelsmann Stiftung thus increased its independence from the Mohn family, owners of the Bertelsmann group.[29][30] As chairman, de Geus launched the initiative to internationalize the foundation's activities.[31][32] Today, de Geus is responsible for projects relating to Europe, democracy and sustainable economies as well as international megatrends and partnerships.[33]

Other functions

He is responsible for projects relating to Europe, democracy and sustainable economies as well as international megatrends and partnerships.[33] He previously served as the deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).[7] From 2002 to 2007, he served under Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende in the Netherlands as minister of social affairs and employment.[34] He is a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party.[6] Since 2012 De Geus has been a member of the advisory board of the Centre for Higher Education (CHE), in which the Bertelsmann Stiftung holds a 90-percent stake.[35][36] In 2014, he was elected chairman of the supervisory board of the Netherlands-based Triodos Bank,[37][38] a leading sustainability bank with offices in Belgium, Germany, the UK and Spain.[39]

Publications
  • Aart De Geus; Eric Thode; Christiane Weidenfeld (2016). Europe Reforms Labour Market – Leaders' Perspectives. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-036577-1.

Decorations
Honours
Ribbon barHonourCountryDateComment
Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau Netherlands 11 April 2007

References
  1. "Aart Jan De Geus". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  2. "Aart de Geus, Deputy Secretary General, OECD Secretariat". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. "Niederländer an Spitze der Bertelsmann Stiftung". Rheinische Post (in German). 7 August 2012.
  4. "Wechsel bei der Bertelsmann Stiftung". Die Stiftung (in German). 7 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  5. "De Geus nieuwe baas Goldschmeding Foundation" (in Dutch). 2 October 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  6. Angelika Fliegner (May 2012). "Aart Jan de Geus". NiederlandeNet (in German). University of Münster. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. "Aart Jan de Geus". Internationales Biographisches Archiv (in German). Munzinger. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. Gijs Herdersche (2 September 2002). "Nooit de hete adem van leden in de nek". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  9. "Biografie: Aart Jan de Geus" (in Dutch). NTR. 19 May 2003. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. Brücken bauen – 30 Jahre niederländische Integrationspolitik im Rückblick. Eine Untersuchung durch einen niederländischen Parlamentsausschuss. (PDF), Landeszentrum für Zuwanderung Nordrhein-Westfalen, p. 35, retrieved 30 July 2017
  11. Mark Houben (25 July 2002). "Consultants trots op hun minister". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  12. René Vautravers (23 July 2002). "Die Mitglieder des neuen Kabinetts". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). p. 1.
  13. "Kabinet-Balkenende I (2002-2003)". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  14. "Kabinet-Balkenende II (2003-2006)". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  15. "Kabinet-Balkenende III (2006-2007)". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  16. René Vautravers (10 September 2003). "Harte Massnahmen in der Sozialpolitik: Haager Regierung schlachtet heilige Kühe". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). p. 23.
  17. Helmut Hetzel (17 October 2003). "Niederlande: Ein Bündnis gegen die Wirtschaftskrise". Die Presse (in German). p. 5.
  18. René Vautravers (16 October 2003). "Zurück zum niederländischen Polder-Modell: Historische Übereinkunft zwischen den Sozialpartnern". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). p. 21.
  19. "Laatste waarschuwing voor De Geus". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 19 February 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  20. "Oppositie zegt vertrouwen in De Geus op". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). 15 October 2004. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  21. Onze Verslaggevers (15 October 2004). "De Geus onder vuur oppositie coalitie". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  22. "OECD Annual Report 2007" (PDF). p. 121. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  23. "Aart de Geus, Deputy Secretary General, OECD Secretariat". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  24. "Wir bestehlen unsere Kinder". Salzburger Nachrichten (in German). 17 August 2009. p. 2.
  25. Philip Faigle (15 December 2010). "Vollbeschäftigung in Deutschland ist möglich". Zeit Online (in German). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  26. "Bertelsmann Stiftung beruft neuen Vorstand". Handelsblatt (in German). 29 June 2011. p. 62.
  27. "Niederländer zu Bertelsmann". Westfalen-Blatt (in German). 29 June 2011.
  28. "Niederländer führt Bertelsmann-Stiftung an". Handelsblatt (in German). 27 April 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  29. Grimberg, Steffen (27 April 2012). "Nicht noch ne Mohn: Neue Führung für Bertelsmann-Stiftung". Die TageszeitungDie Presse (in German). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  30. Johannes Ritter (27 April 2012). "Wir sind nicht die Speerspitze für die Bertelsmann AG". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  31. Bernhard Hänel (28 April 2012). "Von Gütersloh in die weite Welt: Früherer holländischer Arbeitsminister De Geus führt Bertelsmann-Stiftung auf internationales Parkett". Neue Westfälische (in German).
  32. "Führungswechsel unter den Augen des Stifters". Neue Westfälische (in German). 25 May 2012.
  33. "Aart De Geus, Vorstandsvorsitzender". Bertelsmann Stiftung. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  34. "Aart Jan De Geus". Parlement & Politiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  35. "Advisory Board". Centre for Higher Education. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  36. "Unternehmensregister (Amtsgericht Gütersloh, HRB 3122)" (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  37. "Oud-minister Aart Jan de Geus aan de slag bij Triodos Bank". Business Insider (in Dutch). 1 May 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  38. "Oud-minister De Geus naar Triodos Bank". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 1 May 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  39. Martin Hampel (3 March 2012). "Nachhaltigkeitsbanken legen zu". Börsen-Zeitung (in German). p. 5.
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