Henk Rottinghuis

Press Releases

ROTTINGHUIS EMBARKS ON ‘LISTENING PROGRAMME’
AHEAD OF MANIFESTO LAUNCH

20 May, 2010

FEI Presidential candidate and one of the key forces behind the well-respected and successful Dutch Equestrian Federation, Henk Rottinghuis is undertaking a 100-day ‘listening programme’ at the outset of his candidature for the position of President of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

The 54-year-old was approached by national federations, including his own, to stand for election at the 2010 FEI General Assembly, in Chinese Taipei, from 1-6 November.

An amateur competitor, international organiser, official and member of the FEI’s Compliance and Audit committee, Rottinghuis recently stood down from being CEO and Chairman of one of the world’s bigger family-run international businesses. Dutch-based Pon Holdings, an international distribution and trading company with 12,000 employees spanning 15 markets in different continents. Under his 17-year career with Pon Holdings the business quadrupled in size.

Now, the multi-lingual Rottinghuis wants to devote more time to the administration of the sport, which he has been committed to for the past 30 years.

He says: “I am humbled, honoured and energised by the confidence that different stakeholders, across horse sport and around the world, have shown in urging me to seek the post of FEI President.

“The President is the figurehead of the FEI but the national federations are the FEI. It is only with them and other stakeholders including riders, owners, organisers, officials and sponsors, that the success of the FEI can be guaranteed. My campaign for the Presidency, and if elected the Presidency itself, will reflect and never forget that fundamental belief.

“Therefore, ahead of presenting a full manifesto to the federations before this year’s World Equestrian Games, I will communicate personally with National Federations and all stakeholders who rely on the FEI. Only when I have listened to them would it be appropriate to outline a programme with clear deliverables.”

Mr Rottinghuis recognised the contributions of the other candidates, the current FEI President, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and the First Vice President Sven Holmberg and paid tribute to their efforts to further the sport.

He noted: “The FEI now needs a stable administration and a structure in which initiatives and proposals come about in a democratic and transparent way. It is essential to include everyone who will be affected by decisions and those who have to get involved in carrying out those decisions to warrant success. I feel many are seeking quiet leadership and more partnership between the executive and the field. If that is the case, my profile will suit the position.

“Our sport needs to be enjoyed by many more, should be inclusive for all, and remain relevant in a modern world in which the balance of power is shifting to new continents.”

Mr Rottinghuis was elected a member of the FEI Audit and Compliance Committee in 2009, but at his own suggestion and in order to avoid any possibility of a conflict of interest, however remote, he has stood down from this post for the period of the election.

Notes to editors:

***The photo attached (Henk Rottinghuis – FEI Presidential Candidate2) can only be used in relation to this press release and should be accompanied by the following credit line: ©Arnd Bronkhorst www.arnd.nl ***

Henk Th.E.M. Rottinghuis held several senior management positions, culminating in being Division Director European Road Transport of the Royal Nedlloyd Group N.V – studying during this period at Harvard Business School. He joined Pon Holdings as Managing Director in 1993, with responsibility for its import of Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche vehicles into the Netherlands and Poland. Later he became responsible for all import activities in the automotive sector of Pon Holdings. He was appointed CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board in 2002, and additionally fulfilled the position of CFO in 2008 and 2009.

Under his leadership Pon Holdings has become one of the Netherlands’ largest and most successful family run international businesses, with over 12,000 employees worldwide and a turnover of €7.5 billion ($10 billion). Its main markets include the Benelux, France, Germany, UK, Poland, Scandinavia and the USA. Pon Holdings is also active as an importer of Continental Tyres, in the field of equipment and power systems and represents, among others Caterpillar, Linde and MAN.

Rottinghuis was a competitor in national dressage competition from 1970-1981 and has held many Board positions in student equestrian sports, including President of the International Student Concours Hippique of Zuidlaren. He has been a referee and organiser of several international driving competitions, including the World Driving Championships at Apeldoorn and the CAI Breda. He was a Board Member CHIO Rotterdam, which organised the European Show Jumping Championships in 1989.

He has previously been Vice Chairman of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS) and chaired the merger of its 16 regional equestrian organisations to form the new Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation (KNHS). In 2003 he was elected Equestrian Sportsman of the Year for The Netherlands. Rottinghuis has since become a member of the Committee for the ‘Rider of the Year of the Netherlands’ award.

Rottinghuis is active on several supervisory positions of corporate and cultural institutions. He served as member of the Advisory Committee of ABN-Amro Bank, the Holland Festival and the ‘Stedelijk Museum’ of Amsterdam (Museum of Modern Art). In 2006 he succeeded M. Wim Duisenberg, former president of the European Central Bank, as Chairman of the ‘Rijksmuseum Fonds’, the fund providing finance for the most important museum of the Netherlands.

Rottinghuis is listed as one of the 100 most influential people in The Netherlands.

Keep in touch with Mr. Rottinghuis’ Presidential campaign at www.henkforfei.org.

For further information please contact:

Maarten van der Heijden

Director of Sport and International Affairs

Maarten.van.der.Heijden@knhs.nl