HZ University of Applied Sciences has a new Executive Board. As of November 1st, Hendrik-Jan van Arenthals will serve as the new Chair, while Richard Liefting will join as a member on September 1st. “With these two executives, we have an experienced and highly capable leadership team,” says Susana Menendez, Chair of the HZ Supervisory Board.
Hendrik-Jan van Arenthals is no stranger to the educational landscape in Zeeland. Since 2015, he has been Chair of the Executive Board at Scalda. Before that, he held roles including Director and Board Member of Mondia Scholengroep. In his role at Scalda and through several additional positions, he has worked closely with HZ and is therefore very familiar with the institution.
Van Arenthals will begin on November 1st. “I believe in the uniqueness and growth potential of our beautiful living lab Zeeland, in building an ecosystem of knowledge institutions, businesses, governments and social organizations, and in the strength of a personal university of applied sciences that truly makes a difference in that ecosystem, together with others”, he says.
Richard Liefting
Richard Liefting also brings extensive leadership experience in education. His résumé includes positions such as Director of Operations at Regio College in Zaandam, Director of Audit at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam, Director of Planning and Control at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and Director of Finance and Control at NHL Stenden Hogeschool in Leeuwarden. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Executive Board at the Meander-Prokino Foundation.
Liefting currently lives in Alkmaar but is also looking for housing in Zeeland. “The unique combination of dedicated staff and a personal approach excites me. HZ is a university of applied sciences that is deeply embedded in society, closely connected to its surroundings, and focused on issues that truly matter. Education and research with real impact on the Zeeland delta, that’s what inspires me.”
Confidence in the Future
The new Executive Board was appointed following a thorough process involving an internal selection committee, the University Council, and the Supervisory Board. They will succeed the current interim board, consisting of Chair Jacomine Ravensbergen and John Dane.
Supervisory Board Chair Susana Menendez says that with these appointments, HZ can look to the future with confidence. “These experienced leaders have proven themselves in education, particularly in vocational education and healthcare. They bring knowledge and experience from large educational organizations, managing education and research, leading change processes, and have strong expertise in strategic positioning, real estate, and finance. Hendrik-Jan is a passionate, connecting, and socially engaged leader with extensive knowledge of and a broad network within the Zeeland knowledge ecosystem. Richard has relevant experience in real estate, finance, and control, as well as in institutional research within higher education. He is a team player who is eager to get to know this new environment and dedicate himself to HZ and the Zeeland region. We are fully confident that both leaders, together with everyone at our wonderful university, will be committed to delivering high-quality education and research for our students, the professional field, and society as a whole.”
