The Netherlands: Efteling with New Chairman of the Board & CEO

According to the theme park’s information, Fons Jurgens (44, pictured) will be appointed as Efteling’s new Chairman and CEO during the General Shareholders’ Meeting on 17 April 2014. He succeeds Bart de Boer, who surprisingly left the Netherland’s biggest theme park at the beginning of September 2013 (cp. EAP news from 9 July 2013). As Jurgens has already been working for Efteling since 1995 in various operative and commercial functions, most recently as Commercial Director and member of the Board of Directors, the latter has decided for an internal solution. “Efteling is a wonderful organisation, in which continuity for future generations of visitors and employees is an overriding objective. I consider it a great honour to be handed ultimate responsibility, together with my fellow directors, for continuing to build upon the Efteling legend during this significant phase in its ongoing history […],” Fons Jurgens says. In addition to the appointment of the new Chairman and CEO, the Board of Commissioners has also announced its intention to appoint the current Adjunct Director of Operations, Coen Bertens, as a member of the Board of Directors and Operational Director on 17 April 2014. Furthermore, Berry Bemelmans will step down as Chief Commissioner, following the completion of his term of office, and will leave the Board of Commissioners. He will be succeeded by Henk Kivits, who has supported the Board of Directors on a temporary basis since Bart de Boer left the company and will continue to serve the board as delegated commissioner. Having the aim to generate five million visitors by 2020, the great experience quality and the destination potential of Efteling will be marketed more intensively during the coming years. (eap)