In the run-up to the new term of office, new members will be elected to the Members' Council, and members eligible for a second term will be reappointed. Candidates will also be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Nomination Committee, which is responsible for preparing and supervising the selection and appointment procedures within the Members' Council. The candidates for appointment to the Nomination Committee are Arnoud van der Knaap, Rosaline Zuurbier, and Ruud van der Houwen, and John van der Slot is nominated for reappointment for a second term. The candidates nominated for reappointment to a second term in the Members' Council are Leon Ammerlaan, Thijs Hermans, Jan van Paridon, Bas van Keulen, and Jelle van der Kroft. The Nomination Committee has also nominated seven candidates for the Members' Council as of 1 January 2026, namely Dick Kooij, André Satter, Bianca van Eijk, Inder Nain, Joost van Adrichem, Danny van Uffelen, and Sjaak van der Ploeg. The Members' Council elections will take place from 3 to 10 December 2025, during which all Royal FloraHolland members will be able to vote for these candidates online. The results will be announced during the Members' Meeting held prior to Cooperative Day. Below is an introduction to the new candidates for the Members' Council.
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NH20251105 14 introduces Dick Kooij of Gerbera United, a grower of barberton daisies in Eastland, Netherlands. He is co-director of the company alongside W. P. v. d. Berg and Gijsbert Verboom, and together they cultivate 130 varieties of daisies on 10.5 hectares across three locations. Kooij describes himself as someone who likes to express his opinion and brings many ideas to the table. He wants to contribute because he believes in working together to keep the cooperative strong. He is eager to listen to members, understand what they experience, and express their needs in the Members' Council. He believes he can strengthen the council through his willingness to speak openly, his broad general knowledge, and his ability to represent the flower growing industry.
Another candidate, Inder Nain of Xflora Group in Kenya, grows roses and emphasizes the important role Royal FloraHolland plays in floriculture. He believes that role becomes even more crucial given the turbulent future facing the sector. Nain wants to be part of the strategic decisions that will shape the trade in the near future and beyond. He hopes to strengthen the Members' Council by contributing his experience in strategic thinking and long-term planning.
NH20251105 10 introduces André Satter of Satter Orchids, a grower of moth orchids in Bommelerwaard, Netherlands. Satter is married with two children and has a background in Phalaenopsis cultivation. He enjoys working on projects that combine innovation with quality and describes himself as practical, responsible, and focused on achieving sustainable results. He strongly believes in cooperation and wants to help strengthen the connection between production and retail so that more value is created for both members and customers. He believes he can contribute to the Members' Council through his practical experience, knowledge of the retail market, and his ability to translate decisions into concrete actions.
NH20251105 02 introduces Bianca van Eijk of Eijco Flowers BV, which grows African lily in both the Netherlands and Portugal. Together with her brother Danny, she runs a 2-hectare greenhouse in Nootdorp focused on high-end cut flowers. She is also co-owner of a 6-hectare farm in Quelfes, Portugal, where she grows exclusive varieties including calla lily, Kniphofia, and African lily, through a mix of outdoor cultivation and tunnel greenhouses. The company also has its own breeding department focused on innovation. Van Eijk, who is married to Chiel Hazeu of Hazeu Orchids, wants to contribute because she believes growers of niche products should have a say in shaping the marketplace of the future. She hopes to strengthen the Members' Council through her entrepreneurial experience and broad perspective on the cooperative's diversity.
NH20251105 16 presents Joost van Adrichem of Phalaenova BV, a grower of two million moth orchids annually in Brielle. He runs the business with Stanislav and Addie and focuses largely on wholesale. Van Adrichem has long supported Floriday and previously served as chairman of FPC Potorchidee for twelve years. Before entering floriculture, he grew peppers and held memberships in The Greenery and Veiling ZON. He is married to Jolanda, who also works at the company, and they have four children. Van Adrichem believes Royal FloraHolland is central to European floriculture and that it must continue evolving to remain the largest and most relevant marketplace. He hopes to strengthen the Members' Council by representing potted orchid growers and by contributing the experience he gained in both floriculture and vegetable cultivation.
NH20251105 20 introduces Danny van Uffelen of Zentoo and Fleur Market, a grower of cut chrysanthemums in Westland, Netherlands. He is 35, married to Mathilda, and father of two young sons. He grew up in Naaldwijk as the son of a chrysanthemum grower and one of the founders of Zentoo. His studies in Business Administration and Marketing Management at Erasmus University strengthened his interest in strategy and commerce. After graduating, he joined Zentoo, where he has worked for eleven years in roles ranging from marketing and sales to product management and digitization. Van Uffelen believes strongly in cooperation and sees Royal FloraHolland as a unique collaborative platform that has proven itself by adapting over time. With his commercial and strategic insights and his extensive network, he hopes to contribute to the cooperative's development. He has also been involved in RFH projects, including multichannel logistics in Aalsmeer, which lays the foundation for Daytrade, and serves on the Floriday flower leadership group.
NH20251105 27 introduces Sjaak van der Ploeg of Maatschap van der Ploeg van den Kerkhof, a grower of lady's mantle and sea lavender in Bollenstreek, Netherlands. He is 58 and lives in Lisse with his wife Jacqueline. They have two adult daughters, and he has been running their flower nursery for many years. Van der Ploeg has been a Royal FloraHolland member since 1988 and sells his products through the clock from late April to mid-October. With 37 years in the cooperative, he sees the auction as an extension of his business. In such a large and diverse cooperative, he believes the Members' Council must be balanced and represent all member groups, and he sees a role for himself in that effort. He has attended member sessions for many years and previously served eight years on the Members' Council of Rabobank Bollenstreek. He wants to use his experience to support the RFH Members' Council in navigating a rapidly changing sector and looks forward to contributing his knowledge in the years ahead.
