31 January 2024, director Ewald Wermuth handed over the stick to Kees Buitendijk (31). Pieter van Geel, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, explains the administrative change:

'Socires comes into another phase of development after a period of robust challenges, in particular several years ago. There can (again) be looked forward and there is clear perspective. For this reason, Ewald Wermuth, in good consultation with the Supervisory Board, will transfer the driver function to Kees Buitendijk as of 1 January 2024. The Supervisory Board is very grateful to Ewald for the role he has played over the past few years to Socires back into stable sailing waters. We also appreciate the fact that he is together with Kees will ensure a good transition to the new period." Ewald remains coordinator of the Socires-Program FoodFirst.

The Supervisory Board has a lot of confidence in Buitendijk as new director, says Van Geel: "Bearing in mind his background, knowledge and experience and great commitment to all for which Socires we are convinced that Kees can take the next step to organise beautiful activities, publications and projects."

Kees Buitendijk studied Business Administration, Public Administration and Philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. With Socires he was responsible for various programmes on value policies and governance of public and private institutions. For example, he wrote advice for VNO-NCW and the Dutch Association of Banks (NVB) on ethics and social responsibility of Dutch business and banking. Kees coordinates with Socires now programmes on the significance of the financialization of the economy, on Rhineland-Palatinate Thinking and on the restoration of trust in (the institutions of) the democratic rule of law. In addition to his work at Socires shall take his place on the Advisory Board of The New Gate: Center for Rethinking and Inspiration on the Zuidas.