Royal FloraHolland gives young people a voice with the youth council

For the first time in the 106-year history of Royal FloraHolland, a youth council has been established. Bianca van Eijk (29) together with Job van Egmond (25) are two of the entrepreneurs on the executive board. The two young growers see a bright future for the horticultural sector. “It is important to give young people a voice. Together we are the future of the cooperative.”

Since January 2017, Job has been a partner in his father's and uncles' company in Bleiswijk. What is driving Job to participate in the youth council? "I noticed that I had some free time outside the nursery and wanted to do something different. I have always felt that Royal FloraHolland is a very interesting organisation. When I was 18, I went with my father to my first general members' meeting to see what happens there. I saw many elderly growers expressing their opinions. But the younger generation was missing, which is very important when taking decisions about the future of this cooperative."

Let your voice be heard
Why is it so important to establish a youth council? Job explained, "It is strange that previously there was no room for young entrepreneurs in the cooperative. In the youth council we discuss many important issues. What direction do you think this cooperative should take? And what must Royal FloraHolland do to support young growers?"

Together we are the future
Bianca has been running a modern summer annuals nursery in Pijnacker together with her brother since 2008. She added, "There was no group where young people could debate about the matters that affect the future of the cooperative. It is so great that we are now being supported by Royal FloraHolland! Together we are the future. It is important that we support the management with our vision of e.g. digitalisation, which they can respond to in turn."

No better place to sell flowers
How does Bianca envisage the future? "The cooperative is very important. There is no better place to sell flowers. So many suppliers, such a wide-ranging assortment, and on the other side such a large group of buyers who all come together in one spot. We have to work together to maintain that position."

Source: Royal FloraHolland

Publication date: Wed 29 Nov 2017