Ton van der Pijl

Director of New Business Development/Institutional Development at Erasmus University Rotterdam

“I know Ad Hofstede as a successful manager of teams of highly skilled professionals. As a creative entrepreneur, he knows how to turn ideas into end products that are cost-efficient. A role as quartermaster applies to him in this. No wonder that in the business environment of Erasmus University Rotterdam Holding where under every initiative there is a sound business case he has shown himself to be very successful.”

Patrick Groenen

Dean Erasmus School of Economics (EUR)

“Ad’s strength is motivating and getting employees on board. He is future-oriented, develops a strategic vision and knows how to convey it to his employees. This makes him a good pathfinder. Ad has gained a lot of experience in course design, marketing post-academic education, lifelong development and transformation into a social enterprise. Last but not least, Ad is a pleasant person to work with.”

Empowerment

Kees van Rooijen

Director EUR Holding

“For many years, Ad has already played a very active role in the development of post-experience education at Erasmus University. That’s how I got to know him as inspired and creative. A good nose for where market opportunities lie. Driven by commitment and equal opportunities, but at the same time a good eye for what is economically feasible. His leadership style is characterised by empowerment, getting the best out of people, people management and finding the right balance between personal and business interests. He recently became project leader for the Lifelong Learning project as part of the EUR strategy, developing policy and portfolio in consultation with others. I would recommend Ad for interim management assignments as well as consultancy projects.”

Top-notch team builder

Hananja van Dijk

Controler EUR Holding

“Over the past 10 years that I have worked with Ad, I have come to know Ad as a top-notch team builder who, with genuine interest in his people, manages to pull the individual and the team to a higher level. With a healthy dose of pragmatism and at the same time political sensitivity and with the financial knowledge he has built up over the years, Ad is an all-round manager/director who inspires confidence among employees and those around him. Ad certainly does not shy away from difficult conversations. It is impossible to always maintain good harmony on the shop floor, but Ad focuses on content and never on the person. In these times, that is a great thing.”

A leader with vision

Wendy Jansen

Project leader AI Education Innovation TU Delft

“Ad is a leader with vision, sensitivity and an eye for group dynamics that determine the performances and routines of an organization. Ad taught me to act and think strategically without limiting my creative imagination. Within the organization, he encouraged all employees – from volunteers to senior management – to call on their resourcefulness, professionalism, identity, and motivation when confronted with a problem or challenge. I found it instructive, cool, and adventurous to work together for ten years and cherish what I have learned during this time!”