Volvo Ocean Race in Singapore - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Prologue
First of all, I would like to wish all ADB members and their families a happy, healthy
and inspiring 2009. The ADB is starting the year with three new board members added
to the team, namely Marie-Hélène Piederiet, Rutger Oudejans and myself. We are
replacing Annabelle Deken and Freddy Meindertsma, who have stepped down after
their respectively 2.5 and 3.5 years commitment to the board.
Marleen Dieleman
Fortunately, the planning for the ADB events for 2009 is well underway, so it feels like
joining a fun and well-run organization. The first event of the year, our New Year’s
‘borrel’ on January 12 was a great success and I am sure those of you who were there
enjoyed the celebrations.
Back in 2008, my Monday evenings were mostly filled with teaching Corporate Strategy to
a fantastic group of MBA students at the National University of Singapore, so I have not
been able to attend many ADB events, which is why you may not have met me yet.
A brief introduction may therefore be appropriate. Originally from Rotterdam, I
arrived in Singapore in 2007 to join NUS Business School, where I teach strategy and
do research on large Asian family conglomerates. I somehow got hooked on this topic
and I enjoy interviewing the regional business leaders and analyzing their empires. In
2007, I published a book on the Salim Group, one of the largest business families of
Indonesia, a research project that had the side-effect of strengthening my detective
skills! Right now, I am analyzing a few other business families in Indonesia, Malaysia
and Singapore.
The ADB board is looking forward to meeting you on February 9, when we invite Piet
Sinke (now working for T&T Bisso Salvage Asia) to narrate a story full of “Dutch glory”
- salvaging the Kursk - (when he worked for Smit Salvage) or at one of the other events
later in the year.
Marleen Dieleman
‘
To share meaningful and business-related information amongst the Dutch
business community in Singapore, whilst networking in a fun environment ’
Jan de Vegt
Remco Muzerie
Marie-Hélène
Piederiet
Ard Huisman
Richard van der
Werf
Frank Kuijsters
Rutger Oudejans
Vol.19 • No. 1 • February 2009