Mart van Mourik13 dec 2024, 11:41
Last updated: Dec 13, 2024, 11:41 am
Jack van Gelder has reacted in disbelief to the news that Carolien Gehrels (56) is the intended successor to Michael van Praag as chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ajax. The media personality wonders why a ‘politician’ gets a position at a ‘football company’.
On Friday morning, Ajax announced in an official message that the Supervisory Board is nominating Gehrels to take over from Van Praag as chairman. The process to arrive at a nomination is in the final phase.
Gehrels has the necessary administrative experience, because she was an alderman in the municipality of Amsterdam on behalf of PvdA/GroenLinks for eight years. In any case, Van Praag will remain as supervisory board chairman until the Special General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM), for which Ajax will still choose a date.
The Telegraph emphasizes in his reporting that it is not yet one hundred percent certain that Gehrels will take over from the experienced Van Praag in the short term. The board of directors of the Ajax association, with a 73 percent major shareholder in the club, will soon invite Gehrels for a meeting. Afterwards, final decisions will be made.
Van Gelder makes it clear to X that he really does not understand the decision of the Supervisory Board. “Incomprehensible to give this politician such a position at a football company. I would rather see someone there who comes from the top of the business community,” said the former reporter.
Gehrels was an alderman in the municipality of Amsterdam for eight years. Between 2006 and 2010 she was councilor for Culture in Amsterdam. Between 2010 and 2014 she was responsible for Economic Affairs. Gehrels currently works as Global Director Energy Transition at the company Arcadis.
According to The Telegraph the seven members of the board of directors had a preference for Diederik Karsten, but Van Praag and honorary member Leo van Wijk blocked the arrival of the Ziggo director. Gehrels is the only remaining candidate.
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