The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) announced Huib van Walsem as CEO at its Annual General Meeting on December 13, effective March 1, 2026. He succeeds Lucas Hendrikse, who served in the role on an interim basis.
Huib (62) has a business background and a broad range of skills in international business, coaching, philanthropy, and volunteering. He has held senior management positions at companies including Coca-Cola, Mattel, and Young & Rubicam, where he was responsible for marketing and sales, sponsorship, financial management, and setting up and leading teams and organizations, including in Eastern Europe. In recent years, he has been primarily active as a coach, study choice advisor at Kieswijs, and career counselor, and as a volunteer at Zuidermarkt and WarChild.
Van Walsem is no stranger to the world of cricket. He served as chairman of the HCC Rood en Wit cricket club. In that role, he worked closely with the KNCB (Royal Dutch Cricket Association) and led projects including the relocation and fundraising for new facilities, in collaboration with municipalities, associations, and partners. This experience further strengthened his understanding of governance, financing, and community building within the sport.
As a cricketer, he played for CC Groningen, Kon. UD, Bloemendaal, and MCC Medan, in addition to his roots at Rood en Wit. He is also active with the Flamingos (organizers of the 100th Anniversary Flamingo Junior Tournament in 2025) and The Fellowship of Fairly Odd Places (FFOP). In 2014, he co-founded the Halfway Trophy with ACC, VRA, Bloemendaal, and Rood en Wit: a Wednesday evening T20 competition to get former members back on the field and introduce new players.
Regarding his appointment, Huib van Walsem says:
“Cricket has significantly shaped my life. It’s no coincidence that the saying goes: ‘A friend in cricket is a friend for life.’ This has given me a large network, both inside and outside the cricket field. For me, the sport represents connection, perseverance, and a shared goal. I’m strongly drawn to the KNCB’s ambition to further professionalize and grow cricket in the Netherlands. I look forward to working with the board, the federation office, clubs, and volunteers to build a strong, future-proof organization and play a guiding and unifying role within it.”
KNCB chairman Guido Landheer is delighted with the appointment:
“With Huib van Walsem, we are bringing in a CEO who combines strategic and financial expertise with genuine commitment to the sport and the cricket community. His experience in both the corporate world and the non-profit and sports sectors is an excellent fit for the current phase of the KNCB’s career. We are confident that, together with the national team and the clubs, he will take an important next step in the development of Dutch cricket.”
With his appointment, the KNCB has chosen an experienced director with a strong combination of strategic leadership, social engagement, and a deep personal connection to cricket. Under his leadership, the KNCB aims to strengthen its organizational effectiveness, ensure a sound financial policy, and further enhance the visibility and social value of cricket in the Netherlands.
