In early November, Jeroen van Wijngaarden started as DUFAS' new managing director. His first two weeks have already passed and he is working at full speed. Jeroen brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Not only in the field of complex files, spokesmanship and building and maintaining relationships, but also with his years of legal and public affairs background in the business world. To get to know him better, we asked Jeroen a few questions.
What is your (work) background?
"After graduating from law school at the University of Amsterdam and working at industry associations, I started working at PwC. Accountants were full of wind after the credit crisis so it was an exciting time. At the same time, I became politically active in Amsterdam and that's how I ended up entering the Lower House in 2014 sooner than expected."
For you, what will be important DUFAS topics for 2024?
"I am using these first weeks and months at DUFAS to work with the team to have as much of a conversation as possible with all members about the expectations for DUFAS. So I want to have that conversation carefully first. Overall, I see that DUFAS' knowledge center is invaluable to the industry. The expertise and exchanges that take place there are crucial for (potential) members and valuable for stakeholders. This is something I want to nurture and broaden where possible.
It is also important that we as collective asset managers make our voices heard to help make tomorrow's rules workable and meaningful. This is certainly an issue for me with the arrival of a new cabinet and a new European Commission in 2024. I like to visit members to talk about their views on this. Unity makes power."
What do you prefer to spend your free time on?
"I like to spend my free time with my two little sons aged 2.5 and 6.5. That half year is important to them at that age, so that's why I say that. It's never enough for them, so that requires some discipline towards both them and myself. I also enjoy sports and used to do competitive swimming and boxing. Fortunately, I still swim. Furthermore, I have had a boyfriend for 11 years and I like to go on vacation with him."
