Born on 19 juli 1959 in Noordwijk, partner, 2 children. Party: Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).
As Minister I will put my shoulder to the wheel for good infrastructure, enabling new housing to be built and keeping the Netherlands accessible. I am committed to good public transport, both in and outside the Randstad. And I will pursue sustainable and fair environmental policy.
- The environment: noise pollution, environmental safety and risks, hazardous substances, non-agricultural use of biocides and plant protection products, air quality, traffic emissions and fuels. This does not include climate policy.
- Soil
- Public transport and railways
- International public transport
- Cycling policy
- Sustainable transport
- Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)
- Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS)
- Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL)
- 23 February 2026
Appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management in the Jetten government - April 2025 – 23 February 2026
Secretary-General, Ministry of Asylum and Migration - January 2023 – 23 February 2026
Director-General for Migration, Ministry of Justice and Security - 2017 – 2023
Director-General for Central Government Real Estate and Operational Management, and Director-General of the Central Government Real Estate Agency, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations - 2015 – 2017
Secretary-General of Rotterdam-The Hague metropolitan region - 2007 – 2017
Municipal secretary, The Hague - 1986 – 2007
Various positions at the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment:
- 2002-2007: Director-General for Housing
- 2002: Deputy Director-General for Housing
- 1997-2000: Director of the Information, Management and Grants Directorate
- 1994-1997: Head of the Housing Benefit Division
- 1992-1994: Head of the Residents and Accommodation Affairs Division
- 1990-1992: Head of the Accommodation Affairs Division
- 1986-1990: Policy officer, Directorate-General for Housing - 1983 – 1986
Research coordinator, Leiden University’s Spatial Planning and Housing Research Office
- 1983 – 1989
Law, Leiden University - 1978 – 1983
Sociology, Leiden University - 1977
Completed secondary education, Gymnasium Visser ’t Hooft, Leiden
