Ardonagh Netherlands has appointed Wim Hekstra as the new CEO, effective 1 June 2025.
Ardonagh Netherlands is the Dutch unit of the Ardonagh Group, which is claimed to be the UK’s largest independent insurance distribution platform.
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Hekstra will oversee the company’s growth strategy, with a focus on corporate, SME, and high-net-worth brokerage sectors.
Previously, Hekstra was associated with Bain & Co as a senior adviser, focusing on strategic and M&A projects in the financial sector.
Hekstra’s experience extends to a supervisory board position at ASN Impact Investors, and he also served as chief operating officer and board member at Aegon Netherlands.
He also held several senior management roles at Sun Life Financial, and ING’s insurance and life operations in Hong Kong.
Hekstra said: “I am excited to join Ardonagh Netherlands at such a pivotal time. Within our platform we have brands renowned for quality and deep expertise in their chosen markets. Together with the local team and our counterparts across Ardonagh’s global network, I look forward to driving the continued success of our business through a culture of collaboration and excellence.”
Ardonagh Europe CEO Conor Brennan said: “We are delighted to have Wim on board. His appointment marks the next stage of opportunity and growth for our Netherlands business, as we strive to unlock the value of strong, independent broking for people who are thinking about selling their businesses, and for our vast range clients across Europe who are looking for a partner that can support them with the right decisions when it comes to how they transfer risk.”
Hekstra will be taking over from Sunny Léons, who has overseen Ardonagh’s expansion in the Netherlands, including the several acquisitions.
In his new capacity, Hekstra will oversee the executive leadership team at Ardonagh Netherlands, which comprises Valentina Visser, Robert de Vos, Dov Rychter, Fred Willemze, and Bart-Jan Kastrop.
Last month, The Ardonagh Group initiated Ardonagh Intelligence, a data and technology arm aimed at integrating robotics, machine learning, and data enrichment to create a cohesive data landscape across the group’s various entities.
