The Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) announced Huib van Walsem will take over as CEO from Lucas Hendrikse. Van Walsem, 62, brings extensive business and leadership experience to the role and is set to assume duty effective 1 March 2026.
With a strong professional background spanning international business, coaching, and philanthropy, he has held senior management positions at leading multinational companies including Coca-Cola, Mattel, and Young & Rubicam. His career covers a broad range of responsibilities in marketing and sales, sponsorship, financial management, and organisational leadership across Europe.
In recent years, Van Walsem has focused on personal development and community work. He has been active as a coach, study advisor at Kieswijs, and career counselor, while also volunteering at Zuidermarkt and WarChild.
Within the cricket community, Van Walsem is a well-known and respected figure. As chairman of Rood en Wit Cricket Club in Haarlem, he worked closely with the KNCB and played a key role in the club’s relocation, fundraising, and facility development. His collaboration with local authorities, partner organisations, and other clubs fostered his expertise in governance, finance, and community engagement within sport.
Huib van Walsem told KNCB:
“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 community. For me, the sport represents connection, perseverance, and a shared goal. I feel strongly about the KNCB's ambition to further professionalise and grow cricket in the Netherlands. I look forward to building a strong, future-proof organisation together with the board, the national team office, clubs, and volunteers, and playing a guiding and unifying role.”
A lifelong cricketer, Van Walsem has represented several clubs, including CC Groningen, Kon. UD, Bloemendaal, and MCC Medan, alongside his long association with Rood en Wit. He is also actively involved with the Flamingos and The Fellowship of Fairly Odd Places (FFOP). In 2014, he co-founded the Halfway Trophy, a popular Wednesday evening T20 league created to reconnect former members and welcome new players to the game.
With Van Walsem’s appointment, the KNCB gains a director who combines strategic vision with social commitment and a deep-rooted passion for cricket. His leadership is expected to enhance the Board’s organisational strength, promote financial stability, and further elevate the profile and societal impact of cricket across the Netherlands.
