Hans Van den Heuvel will be the new chairperson of the CNV trade union. The CNV Members’ Council has just approved his appointment. Van den Heuvel will take up his post on 1 April 2026, succeeding Piet Fortuin, who will be retiring.
Van den Heuvel (1989) brings with him a broad background in advocacy, association work and public issues that are close to CNV’s heart. Since 2019, he has been managing director at LTO Nederland*. Prior to that, he was active in various interest groups. He studied parliamentary history, theology and business administration.
Young and dynamic leadership
Mark Minkman, chair of the Appointments Advisory Committee: ‘We are delighted to welcome Hans Van den Heuvel. He brings young and dynamic leadership, with extensive experience in advocacy and association life. Van den Heuvel is connecting, accessible and decisive. He is a strong ambassador who can further expand the rejuvenation process at CNV. We are confident that he will take CNV forward with vision and energy.’
Association
Van den Heuvel: ‘CNV is an association that revolves around its members. In recent years, we have worked hard to build a strong CNV. I see it as my task to take this further, together with the board, employees and members. With energy, with pleasure and with an eye for the diversity of the CNV association.’
Christian-social compass
Van den Heuvel feels strongly connected to the Christian-social ideology of CNV: ‘Christian-social thinking teaches us that growth and progress only work if they are fair and collaborative. Cooperation and consensus-building are therefore not weaknesses, but a quiet force that drives the Netherlands forward.’
Investing in people
The question of how we want to make our economy and society future-proof is prominently on the table. According to Van den Heuvel, it is crucial, especially now, to promote the importance of craftsmanship and talent: ‘The Netherlands is supported by its workers. Both workers with a theoretical and a practical background are crucially important. I want to make a strong case for the latter group in particular: more investment in this group is important to help the Netherlands move forward.»
Procedure
The Appointments Advisory Committee (BAC) that nominated Van den Heuvel consisted of members of the Supervisory Board and a delegation from the Members’ Council. The Works Council and the board of CNV gave a positive recommendation on Van den Heuvel’s candidacy. After careful consideration, the final appointment was approved by the Members’ Council.
Source: https://www.cnv.nl/nieuws/hans-van-den-heuvel-nieuwe-voorzitter-cnv/ (Dutch)
* The LTO is a Dutch entrepreneurs’ and employers’ organization. LTO stands for the Dutch Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (Land- en Tuinbouw Organisatie Nederland).
