Bol.com CEO Huub Vermeulen announces departure

Dutch webshop bol.com will get a new CEO on 1 November, as Huub Vermeulen will pass the torch to current platform director Margaret Versteden – van Duijn.

Twenty years

Vermeulen, 57, has been working at bol.com for the past twenty years: he joined the company in 2001 as director of operations & fulfilment and became CEO four years ago. Vermeulen says he feels the need for a different work-life balance. “In addition, I want to create the opportunity to assist other entrepreneurs through a non-executive role. Now feels like the right time to leave bol.com, knowing that I will leave behind a great company and a great team.”

Margaret Versteden – van Duijn joined bol.com six years ago as marketing director. After that, she managed the commercial department as director of stores, and since last year, she has been head of the platform’s activities. On 1 November, she will become the new CEO. “I think it is an honour and an excellent opportunity to take over the leadership of this beautiful organisation. In 22 years, bol.com has grown from Europe’s first online bookstore to a platform on which 47,000 sales partners sell millions of items to our customers, more than 12.5 million Dutch and Belgians.

The appointment of the new CEO is under the condition of the advice of bol.com’s works council. Vermeulen will remain with the company until the end of 2021 as an advisor working in the background. It is currently unknown who will succeed Versteden – van Duijn as platform director.