Rabobank Group

3-7-2009 | Press Releases

Bert Ferwerda (49) has been appointed Director of Human Resources at Rabobank Group effective 1 August 2009. He will succeed Gerlinde Silvis who was appointed to the Executive Board of Rabobank Nederland on 1 July 2009.

Ferwerda joined Rabobank as Head of the Human Resources Department of Rabobank Nederland on 1 February 2009. Prior to taking up this position, he was employed at international IT company IBM for more than 22 years. At IBM he first fulfilled various sales and management positions and then moved to the Human Resources field where he held a number of positions, lastly as IBM’s Director of Human Resources Benelux. He subsequently served as Director of Human Resources at ABN AMRO for nearly two years, after which he transferred to Rabobank. 

"Bert Ferwerda is an all-round HR professional who has gained vast expertise in the national and international field of Human Resources," says Gerlinde Silvis. While Ferwerda has been with Rabobank for a relatively short time, during this period he has demonstrated his extensive knowledge and affinity relating to all aspects of Human Resources. Ferwerda will report directly to Silvis in his new position. 

"Banking is and always will be a people business," says Gerlinde Silvis, "and Human Resources is consequently a spearhead of the Rabobank Group. In this current period, this requires making unabated efforts in the areas of employee development, talent development, management development and succession management." She is confident Ferwerda will be able to make a valuable contribution in this field thanks to his broad experience. 

Ferwerda says he will move forward with the current strategic course at HR Rabobank at full force. "Banking revolves first and foremost around people. My commitment is to put the knowledge and expertise I have acquired to work for Rabobank." says Ferwerda 

Ferwerda considers the progression of talented employees and continuity in succession, whereby careers can move throughout the entire organisation, as key spearheads for Human Resources. "It is particularly important during the current period that we as Rabobank continue to invest in people – who likewise invest in themselves – based on a group-wide perspective," says Ferwerda.