Born on 18 July 1986 in Leidschendam, partner, 1 daughter
Party: People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
Our security is under pressure. So it is essential that we strengthen our armed forces and continue supporting Ukraine. This will demand more of our society and industry. Only by working together – including with our allies – can we keep the Netherlands safe.
The Minister of Defence is responsible for general defence policy, including:
National and international deployment of the armed forces
International affairs, including NATO and EU policy
Military support for Ukraine
Financial affairs/budget
The Netherlands Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD)
Veterans policy and care
Enhancing the Netherlands’ resilience
2 July 2024
Appointed Minister of Defence in the Schoof government
March 2021 – July 2024
Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD; party spokesperson on foreign affairs and asylum & migration
October 2020 – 31 March 2021
Programme director for the ‘Insight in Quality’ programme, Ministry of Finance
September 2019 – September 2020
Programme director for the ‘Adaptive Asylum System’ programme, Ministry of Justice and Security
November 2017 – June 2019
Political assistant to the State Secretary for Justice and Security
June 2010 – October 2017
Consultant and project leader, Boston Consulting Group
2013 – 2015
MPA, Harvard Kennedy School, United States
2008 – 2009
MSc in Global Politics, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
2004 – 2010
BSc and MSc in Economics, Tilburg University
2004 – 2008
BSc in Business Economics, Tilburg University
1998 – 2004
Secondary education, Dr. Moller College, Waalwijk
13 June 2023 – 2 July 2024
Member of the Parliamentary Assembly, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
April 2022 – 2 July 2024
Board member, Netherlands Atlantic Association
8 March 2022 – 2 July 2024
Chairman, House of Representatives Liaison Committee for the United States
22 June 2021 – 2 July 2024
Member, NATO Parliamentary Assembly
March 2018 – December 2018
Chairman, VVD programme committee for the European Parliament elections
June 2017 – April 2021
Chairman, VVD Thematic Network on International Affairs
July 2014 – June 2017
Freelance columnist and essayist, Het Financieele Dagblad
September 2014 – August 2015
Online columnist, Elsevier
