Last January, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) moved back into its renovated headquarters at Frederiksplein in Amsterdam. Over the course of five years, the building was transformed from a closed stronghold into an open, public space. And in July, Olaf Sleijpen took office as the new president, succeeding Klaas Knot. How has DNB used these two major changes – a new building and a new figurehead – as drivers of reputation and culture? On October 30, we will visit the new headquarters on a guided tour and afterward discuss with Esther Bunnik, Head of Communications at DNB.

Event agenda

15:45 – 16:00     Registration
16:00 – 17:00    Guided tour De Nieuwe Schatkamer
17:00 – 18:00    Short presentation & discussion “A New Place, A New Face: How DNB Shapes Reputation”
18:00 – 18:30     Networking drinks

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Event Location

Please note that there is no on-site parking available. The nearest parking garage is Q-Park, Weesperplein located on Eerste Boerhavenstraat 29, Amsterdam.

Event Registration

The event is open to EACD members and EACD friends.
Please note that space is limited; registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to members.

Participants will be required to present their ID upon entrance to the event.

Event Fees

EACD Member: Free

Non-member: €25 (excl. VAT)

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Speaker:

Esther Bunnik, Hoofd Communicatie | Head of Communications at De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)

Esther Bunnik is an experienced communications professional who, since November 15, 2024, has been Head of Communications at De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). She has extensive experience in the public sector and has worked both on the agency side, as an independent consultant, and in various management roles. Her career includes positions at the Province of Utrecht, the Drechtsteden municipalities, and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), where she served as Head of Communications and a member of the management team. Esther’s expertise lies in translating complex political and administrative policy issues into clear communication for the public sector.

 

Country Lead:


Maartje Snellen, Partner, FGS Global

Maartje is a seasoned crisis management and corporate communication professional with extensive experience in mainly the food, FMCG, technology and energy industries. Before joining FGS Global as a partner, she co-founded crisis management agency The New Edge. Maartje held several senior roles in crisis management and corporate communications at national, regional and global levels for companies including Shell, NAM-an ExxonMobil/Shell Joint venture-, Heineken and Burson-Marsteller. As a consultant, Maartje supported clients like Ahold Delhaize, Huawei Netherlands, Unilever, Royal Wessanen, McCain Foods Europe, Air Products, Johnson & Johnson, PetroCanada and Wintershall. Over her career, Maartje supported dozens of leadership teams implementing a robust crisis management capability -and in case of a crisis- a crisis management and/or communication response strategy.

Maartje lived in the Middle East with her family for more than five years.

 

Country Coordinators:

Elvira Luykx, Founder & Consultant, NORTH / EAST Communications Consulting

Elvira recently completed her role as Head of Communications Strategy, Insights, and Operations at ASML, where she worked on an interim basis. She is an experienced communications professional, with a track record in corporate affairs and communications within multinational companies, and a background in Public Affairs consultancy. In her roles at companies such as Numico (Danone), Reckitt and DSM she engaged in stakeholder dialogue, acted as a spokesperson, developed corporate positioning, and guided organisations through crises. Prior to joining ASML, she worked as an interim consultant overseeing global business transformations for FrieslandCampina and Versuni (formerly known as Philips Domestic Appliances) where she was responsible for driving communications and change.

 

Francine Rutgers, Co-founder/Managing Partner, Herman Rutgers Executive & Interim Search

After a career in communications on the agency side and in the corporate world, Francine decided to move into executive search in 2000. Founding Herman Rutgers Executive & Interim Search in 2008 brought the icing on the cake: entrepreneurship. The agency is specialised in executive search for top positions in corporate affairs & communications across all types of sectors and industries. The added value of having the right corporate affairs or communications professional in the right place becomes particularly clear when the organization’s reputation is under pressure. This is when board members and communications directors need to be able to rely on each other’s understanding and trust.