On 1 January 2025, Ab Smit will step down as a member of the HZ Executive Board. He is leaving HZ for a position with the Province of Noord-Brabant, where he will start as director of Operations & Realisation Power in January. This position unexpectedly came his way and ties in closely with his previous role as general director of the Province of Zeeland.
Back to public administration
Ab explains his upcoming departure from HZ: 'I am returning to public administration because I have discovered that this world suits me best. I look forward to making my contribution to the great social tasks and organisation of the Province of Noord-Brabant. I know Brabant and its people well, because I lived there with my family for many years and worked there before. I am certainly not letting go of Zeeland: my wife and I will continue to live in Middelburg, but starting from the new year, I will spend a large part of the week in Den Bosch. I thank all my HZ colleagues for the valuable period and wish them and the HZ all the best for the future!'
Of great value
‘The Supervisory Board congratulates Ab on this next step in his career,’ said Susana Menendez, chairman of the board. ‘We thank him warmly for his work for HZ. His expertise and pleasant personality have been of great value to the college over the past two years. With drive and enthusiasm, he and Barbara have prepared HZ for the next phase. We wish Ab every success in his new position.’
Barbara Oomen, president of the Executive Board, also reacted to the news. ‘It is very sad to have to say goodbye to Ab already, but we warmly congratulate him on his new position. We are grateful for everything he has meant for HZ over the past two years. He took important steps with us in organisational development, social safety, digitalisation and campus developments, thus contributing to the future-proofing of HZ. We will miss his pleasant, calm and committed personality and wish him all the best with this new step.’
Succession
The Supervisory Board will soon communicate the procedure for filling the position of Member of the Executive Board.
