John Joosten
"In Twente, we have strong entrepreneurs and excellent educational and research institutions. Alongside these, we enjoy a fantastic environment for living and recreation, where Twente’s down-to-earth mentality is prevalent. By connecting these strengths with the support of local and regional government, we create numerous innovative opportunities for a sustainable economic future that will benefit both current and future generations."
As a board member, John Joosten represents the government sector. He is optimistic about the collaboration between the three pillars: entrepreneurs, education, and government. “We are in the midst of a promising development. Our cooperation will become even more relevant as we engage in discussions on current issues, such as the agricultural sector and the nitrogen debate.”
Positioning
In John’s view, Twente is about much more than just the economy. “It’s also about quality living, working, and lifestyle. Regarding employment, like the rest of the country, we are finding it increasingly challenging to fill all the job vacancies in our region. It is essential to inspire as many people as possible to live and work in Twente.”
Challenges
Twente is also a hub of technological development. “Technological advancement also requires social innovation, which is crucial,” John believes. “Through the Twente Board, we have explored ways to better support scale-ups. This involves helping startups grow to the next level. Social innovation is essential in this context. For a growing company, aspects such as leadership style and marketing come into play, and these are areas that businesses need to address as they expand.”
Gross Twente Happiness
From a governmental perspective, Gross Twente Happiness encompasses everything the government—or in John’s case, a municipality—engages with. “That’s why I find it very valuable to use the baseline survey outcomes as a sort of barometer: to see on which of the eleven dimensions we excel and on which we can improve, so our residents can experience greater happiness. Neither the government, education, businesses, nor the Twente Board alone can influence all eleven dimensions, but through close collaboration, we can assess each dimension and identify where improvements are needed.”
Additional Roles | John Joosten
- Chair, Executive Board of Noaberkracht Dinkelland Tubbergen
- Chair, Supervisory Board, Stichting Participatie Dinkelland
- Member, General Board of the Twente Safety Region (VRT)
- Chair, GVAG (Anteagroep User Association)
- Chair, Stichting Agatha Laan Fonds
- Honorary Chair, Music Association St. Cecilia Saasveld
- Member, Twente Board
LinkedIn John Joosten