Bart van Leeuwen

Who I am:


Bart van Leeuwen, married to Loes. We have three studying children together. I am a very experienced communication manager and senior spokesperson for the government and in business, with a background as a parliamentary journalist. I specialize in reputation management, with a passion for politics and the power of our economy.

Shortly after the financial crisis had arisen, I (at the end of 2009) joined the Dutch Banking Association where I have worked for the past fourteen years. I experienced the development of a reputation far below zero to restore trust and played an important role as head of communication in the coordination of the reputation and communication management of the Dutch, European and global banking sector. Via VNO-NCW I was closely involved in the challenges for the reputation of the broader business community.

Before that I worked for fourteen years at the central government as a spokesperson, team leader and board advisor. At the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment I was responsible for, among other things, communication about the reform of social security, an important reputational challenge for the cabinet and the central government. As a spokesperson, I was also regularly involved in the social consultation between the cabinet, employers 'and employees' organizations. For the communication council of the central government, I led a working group that made proposals to get more attention to the news from the weekly Council of Ministers.

I started my career as a (parliamentary) journalist. Among other things, I wrote about general politics and financial, economic and social topics and interviewed numerous prominent politicians at the time.

I studied journalism, Political Science (MA) and Corporate Communication (MSC). During this last study I specialized in reputation management. In 2021, together with Paul Stamsnijder and Ede Steen of the reputation group, I wrote the booklet "The New Competition - a shared perspective for branches, interest groups and industry associations". I give lectures on reputation management, and I provided a practical case at Van der Hilst Communicatie.

My personal core values are ambition, patience and freedom.

In my spare time I am a regional and national board member at Lionsclubs the Netherlands. My hobbies are reading, spirituality, music (DJ'ing) and sports (including indoor soccer and running).