Wilbert Lek new managing director Rotterdam Partners

Wilbert Lek (49) has extensive (international) experience in marketing and sales. For example, he was involved in setting up NL International Business (instigated by VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland) in 2017, as one of the initiatives aimed at strengthening public-private partnership in international trade facilitation. Prior to that, he spent several years working in China and Thailand. In China, he was the General Manager of Bank of Beijing. Lek started his career at ING where he was also Head of Marketing (SME and Business Banking) at ING Nederland. He studied Business Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Jacob van der Goot, president of the Supervisory Board: “We are delighted to have been able to appoint Wilbert Lek as managing director of Rotterdam Partners. Over the past year, Wilbert has proved himself a true ‘Partner’ as International Trade & Investment manager – he can hit the ground running. Rotterdam Partners is coming to the end of a rather turbulent period – one which the organisation has navigated with flying colours, also by helping to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to Rotterdam. We wish Wilbert and his Rotterdam Partners every success in the coming years!”

Wilbert Lek: “I’m very much looking forward to working with my colleagues at Rotterdam Partners, as well as with our many partners in the Rotterdam region and abroad, to make my contribution to the sustainable growth of the Rotterdam economy. And help develop a strong Rotterdam, known worldwide as one of the most attractive cities in Europe to base a business, organise a congress or visit as a tourist.”

Lek succeeds Jeroen Kuyper who resigned as director in May. As interim director, together with Renske Satijn, Lek has already been responsible for the daily management of Rotterdam Partners in recent months.