I remember my first meeting with Foppe Vogd, the first programme director of CIO Platform Netherlands well. At the time, I was still working at Shell. He came not for me, but for my boss, one of Shell's CIOs, who had to become a member. Since then I have been associated with this fantastic and important association. Indeed, CIO Platform Netherlands plays a crucial role in strengthening and positioning our role as CIOs. It has contributed not only to knowledge sharing and growth of competencies, but also to making strategic choices and creating togetherness. Meanwhile, how great is it to be able to quickly app or call a fellow CIO for a sparring session

The four former presidents who preceded me in these anniversary blogs have already said a lot, and there is a clear thread in their stories. Be sure to read them if you haven't already. Therefore, I will mostly add things and highlight some elements!

The importance of CIO Platform Nederland
Since 2009 I have held the role of CIO in various organizations, currently at the University Medical Center Groningen. Over the years, my position has evolved from a supporting director of systems to a strategic partner and essential link in the success of the organization. We, with our innovative digital & data teams, are now an integral part of the business strategy and driver of value creation and growth. At the same time, the challenges around cybersecurity, continuity and geopolitical developments are becoming increasingly complex. This requires us as CIOs to operate on multiple fronts to protect business information and accelerate digital innovation.

The CIO Platform Netherlands plays a key role in this. Together, we are an independent network where members share knowledge and experiences. This platform provides space for dialogue and cooperation, enabling us to exchange best practices and support each other in common challenges. The active participation of our members in, for example, the excellently organized events or in discussions regarding EU Digital & Data policy is essential for the success of the platform. Moreover, let us remain visible as the voice of the 'business user of IT' in the Netherlands. This not only strengthens our own position, but also the impact of the association as a whole.

Future of Digital, Data & AI
The future of digital technology, data and artificial intelligence (AI) is promising, but it also brings challenges... more than ever. And that includes, above all, workable and impactful implementations. After all.... “Innovation is easy, it's all about implementation.”

Our field is inseparable from the success of any organization. The rise of AI and big data presents enormous opportunities for innovation and efficiency, but also requires a careful approach to ethics and governance. The CIO must take the lead in this transformation, not only as a technology expert, but also as a strategic thinker who guides the organization in achieving workable implementations of this new digital reality. Our role will continue to evolve, with digital leadership and collaboration with various stakeholders crucial to the success of our companies and institutions now and in the future.

Dutch and European politics
CIO Platform Nederland has the responsibility to be a powerful voice in both Dutch and European politics. By sharing our collective expertise and insights, we can guide the development of policies that promote digital innovation, cybersecurity and data ethics & sovereignty. For 20 years, for example, we have been advocating fair licensing agreements to strengthen the competitive position of companies and institutions.

Given geopolitical developments and the growing power of hyperscalers, we need to cooperate even more at the European level with sister CIO organizations. We represent important common interests and must therefore influence legislation that is essential for our companies and institutions. By participating as “business users of IT” in the public debate, we highlight the crucial role of the CIO in creating a sustainable and inclusive digital future for the Netherlands and Europe.

Finally, I would like to thank Ronald Verbeek and his team. They are invaluable to the success of our association and the support of the board. I wish our association another 20 wonderful years!

Kind regards,

Arthur Govaert
Chairman CIO Platform Netherlands 2018-2022
CIO, UMCG