Anko Postma

Anko Postma has been mayor of Tubbergen since October 2023. In this role, he has recently begun representing North-East Twente on the Twente Board. With his background in HR, administrative experience in Friesland and personal ties to the region, he aims to contribute to a strong Twente in which rural and urban areas complement one another.

From entrepreneur to public administration

Postma grew up in the south-west of Groningen, in a rural community where Low Saxon was spoken. “I know rural culture inside out.” After studying history and media, he started his own business in 2003, specialising in recruitment, selection and career advice. That experience later proved invaluable in public administration.

In 2018, he became an alderman in Opsterland. “I was given the full physical portfolio: housing, construction and planning permission. We secured a housing deal for South-East Friesland and I joined the VNG Committee on Spatial Planning and Housing.” In 2023, he made the move to Tubbergen. “To me, it felt like familiar territory. We used to visit Twente often, and I have fond memories of the area.”

The triple helix and the language of collaboration

The Twente Board operates on the basis of collaboration between government, education and the business community. This appeals to Postma. “I have an understanding of the business world thanks to my own background.” Nevertheless, he sees room for improvement. “We need to understand one another better. The pace of an entrepreneur is different from that of central government, the province or the local authority. Use clear language and seek each other out in dialogue.”

Gross Twente Happiness

The concept of Gross Twente Happiness ties in with his experience in Friesland, where people speak of the Frisian Paradox: relatively low prosperity, but a high sense of happiness. “Prosperity is higher here, and what strikes me is that people here have taken better care of the landscape. That is of great value for recreation and tourism.”

From Calimero to initiative

Postma wants to move away from the ‘Calimero’ mindset. “Don’t keep saying that people in The Hague can’t see beyond Zoetermeer or Utrecht. Don’t just sit back and wait; go to The Hague or Brussels yourself.” He advocates an active approach for Twente, in which leaders and partners work together to showcase what the region has to offer. “For example, we’re going to Brussels soon, and that’s where you need to be, especially when it comes to the countryside and the landscape. Don’t just sit back and wait; take your seat at the table and tell Twente’s story.”

Challenges for the coming years

According to Postma, the housing challenge calls for a fresh perspective. “Think from a different angle. Different architecture, different forms of densification. We don’t want to build the landscape full.” Education and accessibility are also priorities for him. “Ensure a smoother transition between vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO) and university education (WO). Improve transport links and mobility, particularly to the smaller towns and villages. The quality of life in rural areas must remain high. If it deteriorates, it will affect clubs, schools and village halls.”

Moving forward together

With his background in HR and experience as a councillor, Postma brings the ability to build bridges and a practical approach. “I don’t have the solution; we have to work on it together. That’s also the beauty of the Twente Board. We’re working with fourteen local authorities, educational institutions and businesses on the same challenges, and I can see this developing more and more effectively. Through this collaboration, we’re taking Twente a step further together.”
 

Additional roles

• Chair of the Board of Noaberkracht Dinkelland Tubbergen
• Member of the Executive Board of the Twente Safety Region
• Member of the Executive Board of the Twente Environmental Service
• Member of the Supervisory Board of the Noaberkracht Participation Foundation
• Member of the Advisory Board of IST Twente
• Recommendation Committee for Maakcultuur Twente
• Member of the Board of VNG Overijssel
• Member of the VNG’s Committee on Spatial Planning, Housing and Mobility
• Member of the Recommendation Committee for the It Damshûs Open-Air Museum in Nij Beets