Born on 24 April 1972 in Hengelo, married, 2 daughters
Party: People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
As Minister for Legal Protection, I will work to make the Netherlands safe for young and old. I will seek real solutions to alleviate the pressure on our prison system, improve the safety of women and tackle the structural problems within the child protection system. But safety and security cannot be guaranteed by the government’s efforts alone. People also need to look after each other. I hope to convey this through my work.
The judiciary
Council for the Judiciary
The legal professions (including legal interpreters and translators)
The legal system
Legal aid
Sanctions policy, including related amendments to the Criminal Code
Juvenile justice policy, recidivism policy, young offender institutions
Cooperation between organisations involved in the enforcement of criminal-law decisions
Family law, including adoption
Prevention (individual and general)
Judiciary (Organisation) Act
Code of Civil Procedure
Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure
Private law, including the law of persons and family law
Netherlands Nationality Act
Bankruptcy Act
General Administrative Law Act
Quality of legislation
Copyright/intellectual property
Betting and gaming
Personal data protection
Integrity and Screening Agency (Justis),
Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB)
Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles, Child Protection Board
Enforcement (and system for enforcement) of criminal judgments
5 September 2025
Appointed Minister for Legal Protection in the Schoof government
April 2021 – 5 September 2025
Owner, Rutte Public Affairs
October 2019 – 5 September 2025
Director, Vintura care and life sciences consultancy
September 2012 – October 2019
Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD; party spokesperson on healthcare, sport and culture (2001-2017), party spokesperson on issues including police, counterterrorism and cybersecurity (2017-2018)
May 2007 – September 2012
Social media and online dialogue specialist, Menzis health insurer
September 2002 – April 2007
Manager, criminal law sector, Groningen District Court; January 2005 – January 2006: seconded as programme manager on behalf of the courts to the national Integrated Process System (GPS) project
April 2000 – September 2002
Consultant, Pentascope organisational consultancy
September 1996 – September 2000
Team leader, FBTO insurance company
1991 – 1996
Dutch law (Criminal Law and Criminology), University of Groningen
1990 – 1991
Pharmacy (not completed), University of Groningen
1984 – 1990
Secondary school, De Bouwmeester School, Haaksbergen
From December 2014
Chair of ‘Das Boot’ student association, Haren
2022 – 5 September 2025
Chair of the Skin Cancer Care steering committee
October 2021 – 5 September 2025
Chair of STIVA (foundation for responsible alcohol consumption and advertising)
2010 – 2012
Member of Groningen municipal council for the VVD
