Change in the top structure of Rabobank Nederland/One Rabobank
Looking at Vision 2016 and a number of improvement priorities arising from the Libor issue,
the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board extensively discussed the desired structure
of Rabobank Nederland. In November 2013, the Supervisory Board discussed the new top
structure for Rabobank Nederland and the associated revised allocation of portfolios within
the Executive Board. In line with the new top structure, the design of the existing organisation
within Rabobank Nederland that serves to support the local Rabobanks will be adapted.
Also, several divisions of Rabobank Nederland and Rabobank International will be merged
and the way they are managed will be changed in some cases.
The Supervisory Board gave its approval to the new top structure of Rabobank Nederland,
which entails a new portfolio allocation within the Executive Board.The Supervisory Board
considered both this new top structure and portfolio allocation in appointing Mr Nagel and
Mr Dekker as members of the Executive Board and in filling several new executive positions
within Rabobank Nederland.
The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board firmly believe that, particularly in times of
limited growth and cost savings, an emphatic focus is required on mutual understanding and
coherence within the organisation. The feeling that everyone is part of one Rabobank can be
promoted by a greater awareness of each other's activities and by jointly contributing to the
results of the group as a whole. This applies as much for the group entities in the Netherlands as
it does internationally. Accordingly the Supervisory Board supports the decisions taken by the
Executive Board to introduce, alongside the CRISP project (which is a conduct and culture
programme to increase employee engagement within Rabobank International) a group-wide
culture programme. The Supervisory Board expects that a shared culture and close mutual
coordination between the local Rabobanks, Rabobank Nederland and Rabobank International
will help customers to see Rabobank as one strong physical and virtual cooperative bank.
Personnel changes on the Executive Board
The Supervisory Board appointed Mr R. Dekker and Mr H. Nagel as members of the Executive
Board with effect from 1 November 2013, on the advice of the Appointment Committee.
These appointments filled the vacancies that had arisen in the course of 2013 when Mrs Silvis
and Mr Van der Linden stepped down. Mrs Silvis stepped down with effect from 25 January 2013,
after which she was appointed as Director Human Resources Rabobank. Mr Van der Linden
stepped down with effect from 4 September 2013, for health reasons.
Mr Moerland stepped down from the Executive Board on his own initiative on 29 October 2013
after the announcement of the Libor settlement, following which Mr Minderhoud, until that
time a member of the Supervisory Board of Rabobank Nederland, joined the Executive Board in
the role of Chairman. Mr Minderhoud's willingness to act in this position on an interim basis
gives the Supervisory Board the opportunity to carefully follow the selection and appointment
procedure for a new CEO. Mr Schat had to take leave of the organisation on 18 November 2013
as the basis of support for him among the local Rabobanks was insufficient following the
Libor events. The Supervisory Board regrets the circumstances that caused the departure of
Mr Moerland and Mr Schat. The Supervisory Board is grateful to Mrs Silvis, Mr Van der Linden,
Mr Moerland and Mr Schat for their commitment and contributions to the Rabobank Group.
Talent management
The Supervisory Board arranged for an assessment to be carried out at the end of 2013 of the
top management of Rabobank Group. This will be followed in 2014 by an assessment of the
entire executive management, as part of which the Supervisory Board will also review ways of
increasing gender diversity and other types of diversity.
The Supervisory Board supports the decision taken by the Executive Board to sign the Charter
Talent to the Top in the spring of 2014.
Report of the Supervisory Board of Rabobank Nederland
