Bert has had a career in both business and government. For eight years he was Deputy Commissioner of North Brabant (also Deputy Commissioner of the King) responsible for the portfolio economy, innovation, education, labor market, and internationalization. During that period he was also Vice Chairman of IPO, the national consultative body of all provinces, and thus also core delegation Chairman of the consultations with the Minister and State Secretary of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). He was also a member of the Dutch Trade and Investment Board (coordination between the government and the business community regarding international economic policy). In North Brabant he was one of the founding fathers of Pivot Park, JADS, Brainport Industries Campus and Photon Delta.
In business, Bert held various management, executive and board positions at major companies in the Netherlands. In addition to his advisory role for Banning, among others, he is chairman Supervisory Board of Eindhoven Engine successor innovation platform of Philips Natlab, member Supervisory Board Photon Delta (national platform photonics) and chairman Supervisory Board of Bernhoven (hospital Uden/Oss).
Bert has earned his spurs within the knowledge fields of economy, innovation, education, labor market and internationalization, both in the public and private domain. As a member of the Advisory Board, and especially given the rapidly changing market and society, he makes a welcome contribution to the desired long-term developments of Banning.