Gerard Gerrits
Working on liveability, quality facilities, and ensuring sufficient, affordable housing are, according to board member Gerard Gerrits, ways to retain young people in Twente and attract others to the region, helping to fill both current and future job vacancies. He sees this as a primary role for Twente Board. It’s a substantial task, but one where steps can be taken through the collaboration of entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and government.
As an alderman of the Municipality of Hengelo, Gerard will represent the government’s interests within the Twente Board in the coming years. He’s looking forward to the role: “I find it fascinating to work alongside entrepreneurs and educators. The great thing is that each of us comes with a different background, which allows us to challenge and stimulate each other. This way, we can genuinely make a positive impact together.”
When asked what the local residents will notice from this work, Gerard says: “At this moment, and even next year, they won’t notice anything yet. When setting long-term goals, it often takes a while to see results. Within Twente Board, we need to work together to ‘grow the pie’ and create a sustainable future. And something I’m particularly proud of is that our focus is not only on urban areas; we’re here for the whole of Twente, including the smaller communities. Twente is a beautiful region with robust business activity, innovation, excellent facilities, and stunning landscapes. And let’s not forget, its strategic location within Europe as a central point on international corridors. However, there remains untapped potential. I see Twente Board as a crucial link in partnering with the many entrepreneurs, educational institutions, and governmental bodies to realise this potential. I’ve been deeply inspired by the ‘Every Region Counts’ report, which advocates for a fairer distribution of national funds and increased investment in regional areas. This is why I was eager to represent the government in Twente Board and work together on this future vision. My drive is to ensure that we don’t fall behind compared to other regions.”
Although housing isn’t an immediate priority within Twente Board’s strategy, Gerard believes creating sufficient housing is essential to attracting and retaining talent. “A garden village like the one Stork built in Hengelo is a great example. Imagine being able to say to potential employees: in Twente, you’ll have a job and a home. We even have a programme to help your partner find a job. There’s real value to be gained there. But improving connections to and from the Randstad would be a good first step.”
Another significant challenge Gerard sees is sustainability, particularly regarding groundwater management. “Water is going to have an enormous impact. Whether it concerns housing developments or industrial estates, we’ll always need water. If we don’t have enough, we’ll face an immense challenge together. As Twente Board, we need to pursue the ambitions laid out in the regional investment agenda because these focus on the future.”
Additional Roles | Gerard Gerrits
- Chair of the Committee for Public Space Naming Preparation
- Member of the G40 Housing Market Working Group
- Member of the G40 Spatial Quality and Living Environment Working Group
- Chair of the Executive Committee for the Port Authority of Twente
- Member of the Board of Directors for the Twente Recreation Board
- Member of the Spatial Domain Platform VNG Overijssel
- Member of the Executive Committee for Housing in Twente
LinkedIn Gerard Gerrits