My first introduction to Idealis was when I came to study in Wageningen as a student in 1990. As a farmer's son with wide interests, I went to study Agricultural Economics, and after the farm, my room at complex Haarweg became my first place of my own. Later I lived at two more complexes of Idealis: Rijnsteeg and Oude Eekmolenweg. After my studies, I continued to live near Wageningen while working across the country in positions responsible for finance, real estate and ICT. Halfway through 2018, I became a supervisor at another organization and saw that Idealis was looking for a new member of the Supervisory Board. A spot nominated by the tenants and with my background, and as a father of four studying children, I thought it would be nice to be able to fill that position at my old landlord. I applied, was allowed to come and since then I have been impressed by the dynamics at Idealis, the positive atmosphere and the will to continuously improve and organize the best housing situation for students together with the stakeholders.

Since this summer, I have been chairman of the Supervisory Board. A new role in which I experience Idealis a little closer. With a newly adopted Strategic Stock Policy and business plan, the challenges for the coming years are clear and I look forward to being part of the organization that will do its utmost to realize all these plans.