The Human Network’s new executive board, with Esther Scheffener as CEO
UTRECHT — AS OF 1 OCTOBER, A NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD WILL CHARGE AT THE HUMAN NETWORK. ESTHER SCHEFFENER WILL TAKE ON THE ROLE OF CEO, ARJO MIEDEMA WILL OPERATE AS DIRECTOR OF IT COMPANIES, AND MATTHIJS HUBBERS WILL JOIN AS CFO AND COO. TOGETHER, THEY WILL COMBINE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND PASSION FOR THE INTERIM PROFESSION WITH A FOCUS ON PROFESSIONALIZATION AND GROWTH.
The Human Network is the umbrella organization for 23 autonomously operating private-limited companies (BVs), with an annual turnover of €85 million. Esther started working for the organization fifteen years ago, and fulfilled the role of COO for eight years: ‘The Human Network is a mature interim organization, and above all a great company comprised of very passionate and committed people. We work with the top 25% of interim professionals and always choose quality over quantity. As a result, we have continued to grow even during the crisis: we always find solutions to keep going and become stronger.
Midlance model and acquisition by House of Talents
The entrepreneurial nature of The Human Network can also be seen in the introduction and successful expansion of the midlance model, in which the freedom and remuneration of entrepreneurship are combined with the security of being employed. Esther says, ‘Our ambition is that this model and our entire organization gives us the status of “world renowned” in the Netherlands, with all of Europe as the next step’. In October 2021, The Human Network was acquired by the Belgium-based company House of Talents for this purpose.
CEO Steve Rousseau explains, ‘Together, we can position ourselves as an even bigger and stronger presence in the interim market. With the appointment of Esther, Arjo, and Matthijs, I am convinced that the future of our organization, with our employees as the core focus, is more than assured!’
Building further based on collaboration and connection
Esther takes over the CEO baton from current board member Martijn Kamermans. He comments: ‘I say goodbye with great confidence: Esther knows the organization like no other and is a great leader. She can now make better use of her talents for collaboration and connection to continue building on our ambition with the entire team, because she is a real people person’.
Arjo Miedema joined The Human Network as Executive Business Manager of QoppoConsult thirteen years ago. Arjo says, ‘By seizing opportunities, we have grown into a strong, robust, and successful company. As the new Director of IT Companies, I want to continue this course on a larger scale for The Human Network, together with our professionals and all the private-limited companies. I therefore view The Human Network as a growth champion that people are going to hear a lot more about’.
Employees are the foundation of any organization
The three executives unanimously focus on the human aspect. Matthijs — CFO and COO as of 1 October — explains, ‘Everything is built around our employees: they are the foundation of our organization with all its private-limited companies, our “human” network’. The organization will get together and celebrate with a big party on 30 September. Esther says, ‘We want to put all our colleagues in the spotlight. We also bid farewell to the old board members and toast to our new board.
Together, we aim to reach the next level in the interim market!’