Van bouwen naar doorgeven - Victor-Jan Leurs over vijf jaar werken aan focus, samenwerking en vertrouwen in Twente
Five years ago, Victor-Jan Leurs stepped in as director of Twente Board Development. The mission was clear, yet complex: to build focus, collaboration, and trust in a region with grand ambitions. During that time, Twente Board worked according to a clear regional agenda, focusing on long-term challenges, strategic decisions, and collaboration between government, businesses, and education. Now he is confidently passing the baton. Not because the work is done, but because something has been achieved.
Date of Publication: 27 March 2026
Read time +/- 5.7 minutes
The foundation is in place, and that brings peace of mind
“When I started in 2021, we had one main ambition: an empty corporation, a rough outline of an organization, a budget, and a vision of what Twente Board Development could become,” Leurs reflects. “Now we stand here with a mature organization, a solid foundation, and a region that has greater cohesion, more joint investments, and a stronger profile than ever before.”
On the eve of his departure, he looks back with a sense of calm. What gives him confidence is that clear strategic lines have been established, that a professional implementing organization is in place, and that mutual trust among partners has grown. Thus, this phase marks a transition: from building to further development. Less about establishing structures, more about maintaining focus, collaborating, and accelerating where possible. The challenges remain significant—from the economy and labor market to energy and housing—but the region is now better equipped to tackle them together. That makes letting go possible.
Building something in a five-year period takes time, focus, and patience
Leurs describes his time at Twente Board as intense and valuable. In the beginning, there was a lot of ambition, but also the question of where the focus should lie. That question was sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary. Together with colleagues and partners, direction was set step by step. What he learned from that is the importance of consistency. Regional development is not a sprint, but a long-term process. It requires explanation, repetition, and sometimes patience—especially when priorities shift or collaboration takes time. It was precisely that ongoing dialogue that proved decisive. “That’s where real progress lies,” says Leurs.
Highlights aren’t always found in moments that are visible
When asked about his personal highlights, Leurs doesn’t mention any specific projects or decisions. For him, the satisfaction lies mainly in the moment when things become more natural.
“To be honest, for me, the real highlights aren’t just in programs, strategies, or investments,” he says. “They’re in the collaboration within our team and with the triple helix partners who are finding common ground more and more. In the conversations, the humor, the sometimes heated discussions—and especially in the trust we’ve built with one another.”
Those moments are less visible, but they are decisive. They show that something has been set in motion that will endure, even as people or roles change.
Collaboration requires space and trust
The collaboration between government, entrepreneurs, and education forms the heart of Twente Board. Leurs saw that collaboration grow, but also encounter friction. Each party views the region through its own lens, and those differences sometimes clash.
According to him, that is precisely where the strength lies. By connecting perspectives, more is achieved than any single party could on its own. Leurs saw his role primarily as a connector: not solving everything, but ensuring that the conversation takes place—and that it remains focused on Twente’s long-term future.
Focus as a requirement for impact
If Leurs takes one lesson away, it is the value of focus. You can’t try to do everything at once. Making choices creates a sense of calm, both internally and externally. That focus translated into a limited number of strategic priorities and programs, which allowed Twente to position itself more clearly—regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Those choices weren’t always easy. The temptation to just go along with things is strong, but every deviation costs you your profile. Daring to say “no” turned out to be just as important as seizing opportunities.
The next step
After five years of building focus, collaboration, and trust at Twente Board Development, Victor-Jan Leurs is now focusing on his next professional step.
“A new chapter is beginning for me,” he says. “I’m going to focus on independent entrepreneurship, with consulting work, interim assignments, and projects.”
He brings with him the experience he gained in Twente: working on complex societal challenges, connecting different perspectives, and building long-term trust. What remains is a region that can continue to build together on focus, collaboration, and mutual trust.
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Kim Peddemors
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