"The reappointment of Aart De Geus is an expression of the trust the Board of Trustees has in his outstanding performance leading the foundation. We are benefitting tremendously from his international experience and his high-level contacts," said Werner J. Bauer, chairman of the Board of Trustees.
"I very much enjoy working with Aart De Geus and the high level of trust we share," said Liz Mohn, vice-chair of the foundation's Executive Board. "He has impressed us not only with his extensive specialized knowledge and his unerring political judgment, but also with his creativity, which has resulted again and again in rewarding new prospects for the work we do. On a personal level, he has quickly won over both the members of the Executive Board and the Bertelsmann Stiftung's employees thanks to his leadership abilities. I am much looking forward to leading the foundation with him in the coming years."
De Geus is the Executive Board member responsible for the foundation's programs relating to employment, globalization and European affairs, and for its corporate operations and communications. From 2007 to 2011 he was deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. From 2002 to 2007 he served under Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende as minister of social affairs and employment.