Coöperatief Koninklijk Tuinbouwcentrum Horticoop has pleasure in announcing that Steven van Nieuwenhuijzen will be starting in his role of CEO on the 1st of January, 2021. He will be leading the Horticoop transition, taking over control from the cooperative’s board, which currently still comprises five members, headed by Joris Elstgeest, who joined the board as chairman last year.
Steven (46) has already fulfilled several director roles in the business world. Amongst others, he was managing director for D-reizen, CEO at TUI Nederland and being the corporate director Toys at Blokker Holding, he had ultimate responsibility for Bart Smit, Intertoys, Maxi Toys and other businesses.
As managing director within the group Board of the Floral Trade Group, Steven made his appearance into the horticultural industry in 2018. Performing this role, he had ultimate responsibility during two years for the re-formulating of the group strategy as well as the heading of the different operating companies related to ornamental flower cultivation and decoration. After having given control back to the shareholders in 2020, he joined the Advisory Board. Furthermore, over the past half year he managed the strategy building, (re)positioning and organizational development with a number of businesses related to ornamental flower cultivation.
Joris Elstgeest: ‘We are pleased that Steven is going to lead Horticoop. His personality, expertise and experience gained both beyond and within the horticultural industry chime very well with our ambitions and the potential that we – the Board and members of the Member Council – see for a cooperative such as Horticoop in the horticultural industry.’
Steven van Nieuwenhuijzen
Transition
Horticoop is going through a dynamic transition. The mission, vision and strategy were recalibrated in 2020 both in terms of today’s needs of the members and in response to the opportunities that Horticoop sees for providing ongoing added value to its members and the horticultural industry at large. An example of this approach is the introduction of participations in the spring, reinforcing the financial bond between the members and the cooperative. Last week, Horticoop announced its 100% acquisition of the shares of Smartcoat. Approx. one week before that, it was made known that the Alflora wholesale business for florists is being sold. Horticoop has concrete plans to start a development fund for innovative businesses in the industry and to strengthen the development of the member community.
Newly appointed CEO Steven van Nieuwenhuijzen: "I am exceptionally eager to realize - together – Horticoop’s ambitions. Building together, investing in ‘entrepreneurial collaboration’ as well as the merging of expertise. The horticultural industry is on the brink of dramatic changes, entailing dynamics and complexity but offering many opportunities at the same time. I will be delighted to commit myself with much energy to making the most of this potential for Horticoop."
Joris Elstgeest: "Governance will be adjusted and the control over the cooperative will be transferred from the Board to a full-time statutory Managing Board. However, the Board members will stay on as supervisory directors. Together with Horticoop we will remain fully committed to ensuring a healthy future for the horticultural industry."
For more information: 
Horticoop
www.horticoop.nl