On March 1st Koen van Laar started as policy worker for the Bureau of the Representative of the Dutch Central Government, Wilbert Stolte. Van Laar will establish himself on Saba and will therefore also mainly occupy himself there. He is the successor of Elze Woudstra who, until December 2011, held this position for three years.
On his first working day Van Laar was formally introduced by his colleague Georgette van Steensel, to acting Island Governor Mr. Roy Smith, the Island Council and the Executive Council. Head of Personnel Affairs of the Public Entity of Saba, Mrs. Marva Donker, gave Van Laar the first tour of the administration building and at the same time and introduction was made to several department heads. The new policy worker was also warmly welcomed by his colleagues at the Public Entity and Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN).
Van Laar hails from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment (IenM) in The Hague, and has worked in the past for the ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and the Home Affairs (BZ). Besides, he has gained experience in local administration at the municipality of Rotterdam. Van Laar is a professional in public administration.
With the appointment of Koen van Laar on Saba and Rita van der Zee on St. Eustatius the Bureau of the Representative of the Dutch Central Government is now permanently represented on all three BES islands. Van Laar will operate from the RCN Office in The Bottom.