
Our team is located over 3 offices around the world
Our international organisation of committed people works from 4 offices. An integral part of our organisation is our global network of like-minded partner organisations.
Supply Chain Developer
Communications Officer
Founder & Executive Director
Finance Manager
Supply Chain Developer
Supply Chain Developer
Administrative Assistant & Accountant
Sector Development Assistant
Supply Chain Developer Assistant
Supply Chain Developer
Supply Chain Developer
Coordinator FairMatch Support Côte d'Ivoire
Assistant Supply Chain Developer
Supply Chain Development Assistant
Supply Chain Manager
Executive Director West Africa
Field Animator
Administrative and Financial Manager
Local Partner Kruger, Swart & Associates in Southern Africa
Local Partner Kruger, Swart & Associates in Southern Africa
Chairperson of the Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board
Pieter Haveman is Supply Chain Developer at FairMatch Support.
Why do I work in the area of sustainable supply chains/sustainable business? First, because of the possibility it offers to be of value to people and people’s life. This is one of the core values that has been ingrained during my childhood. My mum always said that the most important thing to her was that in her job she wanted to be of value for other people. Over the years, I think I unconsciously made this my own as well. When I witness the change that can be driven by working towards sustainable and fair value chains, I think I am at FairMatch Support at the right place.
Second, because of the diversity both in terms of the different aspects that are part of the job and the diverse range of people that I meet and work with. From an early age I’m interested in getting to know other people. Getting to know their values, customs and what drives them. When I’m in Africa I feel inspired by the openness, warmth and the often different perspective on life that people hold compared to the West. While working with European based businesses I am triggered by their wish to make a change and do things differently.
Besides that, my broad interest that was fed during my academic journey in Groningen by studying International Relations, International Organisation, and Philosophy, is now served by the many different aspects that this work contains. Fostering development by using digital tools, a focus on long-term relationships, looking at a chain both holistically and in detail, the believe in the power of smallholder farmers, and the requirement to think from the perspective of many different stakeholders to be able to realise sustainable change together make me enjoy this work every day.
Karin Egberink is Communications Officer at FairMatch Support.
Is there anything more wonderful to show your love for friends and family or get to know people better than by cooking and eating together? The quote “First we eat, then we do everything else” from M.F.K. Fisher; that’s me! However, over the years I became more and more aware of the world behind the food on my table and all the sustainability issues on our planet.
My Master Food Culture and Communications at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy showed this even more. As consumers we’re engaged with our food every day. But food is more than just fuel. The food choices we make affects our health, economy and nature. It interacts with almost all social and ecological themes of our time. Thinking differently about what you eat is the key to a more sustainable and healthy world. During my Masters I got to know people from every step of the food supply chain and learned that you need each other to change an entire system.
After graduation I got involved with the Youth Food Movement (now SFYN), worked at various food magazines and online gastronomic platforms and learned more about the political side of food at the Federation For The Dutch Food Industry.
My work at FairMatch Support as a Communications Officer is the next step in making positive impact. With our work we want to achieve a transition to a fair and sustainable system. However, no change without communication. To accomplish this transition we have to communicate about our vision, our ambition and our work. But communication is not only about sending information into the world, hoping someone will receive the message. It’s also about the dialogue with our stakeholders. Knowing what is going on with our stakeholders and facilitate them in their communication needs.
Herman uit de Bosch is founder and managing director of FairMatch Support.
Because I was born and raised at the countryside I’ve always felt connected to the land, its options and its limitations. I have a deep rooted feeling of stewardship: our parents managed the land for us and we manage the land for our children. We have to take care of the land and prepare it so future generations can also benefit from it. The base of sustainability.
This is why I studied at Wageningen Agricultural University where I learned more about agriculture but also about the inequalities in many supply chains and because of that the in-sustainability of them. In many cases farmers are not paid for a proper use of the land and their work and therefore have less options to invest.
After graduation I worked abroad for various organisations always looking and working how supply chains could be improved. I did this on a range of produce in various countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. I learned that the only way to change things is to work jointly with the other actors in the supply chain and try to do it differently through collaboration, long term agreements and specific positioning in the market. I realised that I would like to work on this now and in the future and have specialised in this.
Therefore we started FairMatch Support in 2007. We work on innovative solutions to develop, improve and accelerate sustainable agricultural supply chains. We have expertise in various sectors; from fruit and vegetables, to cocoa, nuts and beeswax. We have offices in West Africa, Central Asia and the Netherlands. Besides this we work with partners all over the world. For me this one important part of our business. We believe that co-creation and long-term collaboration are key to sustainable development. In the end the result is of everybody in the supply chain and not of one person in particular which is the best ingredient for accepting the changes.
I’ve learned that with relatively small adjustments you can make huge changes. Shorten supply chains, introducing to pay on quality which stimulates improvement that benefits all. Everywhere in the world you can find professionals who would like to work jointly on this and the best part of my work is to jointly co-create the solution for the specific setting and make it also jointly happen. I have a deep respect for my colleagues abroad and the persons in the various companies that have the drive to make a change.
Janet Zeegers is Finance Manager at FairMatch Support.
From an early age I’m interested in discovering new cultures. By living and working in various environments with different norms and values, one also starts to look at your own habits and learn a lot about yourself and others. I always come across things that are different from what I’m used to, I find this very interesting and it gives me energy.
This is why I worked in several countries all over the world. After high school I did a course in finance and I moved to Botswana to work on a project about drought resistant cash crops for smallholder farmers. An interesting project in which I discovered that I’m driven by the question of how we can distribute prosperity in the world more fairly.
Back in the Netherlands I studied Development Economics in Amsterdam. After graduation I worked for various development-, emergency aid- and human right organisations such as SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Zambia and Nepal on various projects such as forestry, fishing and women's rights. Further I worked for Doctors Without Borders and Mama Cash where I managed amongst others the finance departments.
At FairMatch Support I’m responsible for all financial processes and possible system and process improvements within the FairMatch Support organisation. The commercial part is new for me and that makes my work as Finance Manager at FairMatch Support interesting. I enjoy working with our dedicated partners on improvement of their internal and external financial reporting, obtaining more inside in the actual financial doing of the organisation, and the further development of the administrative organisation. I’m always looking whether there are possibilities to improve situations, processes, reporting and systems and enjoys finding solutions for it: finance is fun!
Marieke Kessels is Supply Chain Developer at FairMatch Support.
From an early age I have been interested in approaching social issues from a broad perspective. This is why I studied at University College Utrecht where the focus lies on exploring such issues not from one discipline, but rather from multiple academic perspectives such as law, sociology, and geography. I continued my education by following a Research Master in Sustainable Development. As part of my thesis, I conducted research with several indigenous communities in Canada and developed a deep respect for these communities and the way they relate to nature.
Overall, through both my studies as well as several travels I made during young adulthood, I became all the more aware that oftentimes environmental and social issues do not start and stop within geographical boundaries. Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to be able to continue exploring and actively trying to mitigate such issues from different positions within the supply chain.
Working on sustainability reporting and sustainable procurement for a multinational in the Food and Beverage industry has given me valuable insights into the strategies followed to reduce social and environmental impact throughout the supply chain. When working as sustainability coordinator for a trading company, I held a unique position between producers and retailers by being aware of both market demands as well as the challenges producers face when it comes to sustainability. I learned that adhering to market demands sometimes poses serious difficulties for producers. In my role I acted as an intermediary to create a better understanding between these different parts of the supply chain, with the ultimate aim to work towards realistic sustainable improvements. I am very happy to be continuing this line of work at FairMatch Support and excited to familiarise myself more with the upstream part of the supply chain.
Supply Chain Developer
Administrative Assistant & Accountant
Cheick Ahmed Konate is Supply Chain Development Assistant at FairMatch Support.
During my Education, and especially with the growing food insecurity in my country Burkina Faso, I’m driven to work in the field of value chain development in order to contribute to the achievement of food self-sufficiency, poverty reduction, job creation and improvement of human health. I believe that the development of sustainable food value chains can provide a way out of poverty for millions of poor households in developing countries.
The quote “Agriculture should be the first activity of health. The peasant must precede the doctor” denotes my vision. Indeed, I believe that the food choices we make affect our health, our economy and our nature.
After my Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy at the Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso I did my Masters in Project Management at the Aube-Nouvelle University of Ouagadougou. I gained experience in in pedagogy (knowledge transfer) as a teacher.
In 2016, I joined the FairMatch Support West Africa team as a developer of sustainable supply chains. I gained experience in project management, supporting, certification, conducting surveys, monitoring-evaluation and diagnosis of farmer organisations for the development of agricultural value chains such as for cashew, beekeeping, sesame ad shea.
What appeals to me about working at FairMatch Support that we are present where the link is the where the link needs most development.
Marius Ouedraogo is Supply Chain Assistant at FairMatch Support
My motivation to work at FairMatch Support is to make agricultural supply chains more sustainable. To achieve this, I support the production link to better organise themselves as cooperatives, to develop commercial partnerships, especially with processing units for a secure market and to produce according to the standards demanded by the market.
I have a background in economics, it was through FairMatch Support that I really entered the agricultural sector in general and the development of sectors in particular; which allowed me to do SMART analyses, to better understand and apply training strategy and to be a good facilitator.
The gender component occupying an important place in the policy of FairMatch Support, through my experience with OCADES CARITAS BURKINA / KOUDOUGOU for which I worked for the development of the rural world especially for women through non-formal education, socio-economic development of women (National Multifunctional Platform Program), I bring my expertise in this area.
Martin Ramde is Supply Chain Developer at FairMatch Support
Like nearly 80% of Burkinabé, I was born and raised in a rural environment in a family where the main activity is agriculture. During my school holidays, I accompanied my parents in carrying out work on the farm. I learned that working on a farm can be challenging and income level is uncertain. Due to this experience I want to make a positive change in the lives of my parents. This is why I studied Agriculture, to work on improvement of working conditions and the income of farmers.
After obtaining my Master's degree in agricultural and environmental economics, I was recruited by the Ministry in charge of agriculture to analyse the link between production and the market for agricultural products and potential improvements. I mainly worked on the promotion of investments in the agricultural sector to improve yields and reduce the arduousness of agricultural work.
Working At FairMatch Support, it’s a childhood dream come true. Our activities directly benefit producers in rural areas through improved production and especially access to more profitable and sustainable markets. Since 2015 I’m working on the improvement of living conditions of women and men in communities grouped together in cooperatives in Burkina Faso and Mali. It is a great satisfaction to have supported more than 20 cooperatives of more than 50,000 producers (80% women) in more than 8 agricultural sectors to organise themselves, improve their production, position themselves in niche markets through organic and fair trade certifications.
Geneviève Kere Soumbougma is Supply Chain Developer
After my Master's degree in Agricultural Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment (EARNE), I worked for a while with my big brother in his shop in meat and vegetables trade. This experience allowed me to consolidate my academic knowledge on the agricultural system and its marketing channels, the quality requirements according to the levels of consumesr, to know the opportunities for agriculture and to discover my love for agricultural entrepreneurship.
So I decided to continue my studies in this field and participated in het Master program Innovations and Development in Partnership. During this program, I learned it is very essential to cultivate networking –partnership while innovating and integrating quality aspects to be part of sustainability.
After obtaining my diploma, I joined a Canadian organisation and worked on the development of market systems and the development of economic opportunities that benefit women and small producers. I learned more about the organisation and structuring aspect of the cooperative, market research for product flow and support for grassroots members to supply quality products to the cooperative.
My work at FairMatch Support as a supply chain development agent is a new step in my professional life to combine the useful with the pleasant and connect the knowledge acquired on the production link with that of processing and marketing. This is a great opportunity for the continuous consolidation of the basic knowledge acquired at the academic level. Thanks to our knowledge and our expertise, we support economic operators to be able to develop strategies for obtaining loans to finance their activities and to set up sustainable supply systems.
FairMatch Support does not proceed in the top down way but evolves with and for the partner while orienting on its decision-making, its actions and the processes by which it goes for the achievement of sustained objectives of convincing results. We live with challenges on a daily basis, support them in meeting their challenges for effective and sustainable development.
Hyacinthe Ouattara is in charge of supply chain development at FairMatch Support. This includes, among other things coordination of our work in Côte d'Ivoire, the implementation of projects in the cashew and rice sector.
In any situation, a person faces three states of mind: (1) what he thinks: his opinion, his personal interpretation, (2) what is: reality and (3) what must be: focus on the results but also on the process with a certain flexibility. Facing these three states of mind and a constantly changing world with a strong movement of the agricultural world and the agribusiness sector, I understood that it takes a strong personal development, a strong team spirit and strong visibility to meet major sustainability challenges.
After my Masters in Agricultural Economics, I continued my training in Egypt and France, respectively at the Senghor University of Alexandria in Environmental Management and at the Pierre Mendes University of Grenoble in Strategic Business Management and Analysis of supply chain. During these two programs, I learned even more about economic development policies and especially the question of reconciling: economic development - environmental management - social development. Enthusiastic and expressive, I understood that, for a healthier and more sustainable world, we will have to think differently about the choices we make, taking into account not only the three states of mind that a person faces but also by taking into account the interaction between humans. This makes us think that we are in an ecosystem where we interact with each other and with the environment that surrounds us, like a chain.
After obtaining my diplomas, I got involved, since 2009, with FairMatch Support to develop sustainable sectors through “Win - Win” partnerships between all actors and by creating added value in any situation.
My work at FairMatch Support as a supply chain development agent allowed me to gain experience in the analysis of economic policies and supply chains, the development and capacity building of organisations and animation of group. Indeed, FairMatch Support's vision is to promote and support private investment, create added value as well as market development. We aim to boost the rural sector by mastering management concepts and promoting entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Ismaël Singo Bamba is Supply Chain Developer at FairMatch Support
I studied Economics and Management of Agricultural Enterprises (Agroeconomics) at Agronomy of the National Polytechnic Institute Felix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire. An interesting education were I gained experience with agricultural techniques and was trained to be capable of making decisions in the fields of Agriculture (Production, Distribution, Marketing and Processing).
After obtaining my diploma, I acquired a great experience of services for rural agricultural development through several projects for crops such as rice, coffee, cocoa, cashew and fish. I worked for example at the Fish Breeding and Distribution Company (SEDP), the Yuan Longping High Technology Agricultural Company (LPHT) and the National Rural Development Support Agency (ANADER).
My work at FairMatch Support as a Fair and Sustainable Supply Chain Developer is the next step to making a positive impact. Thanks to our sectoral knowledge and expertise, we support the activities of farmer organisations in the development of cashew and rice in Côte d'Ivoire. We do this by supporting all the actors in the supply chain to receive their fair share; which allows us to target and provide tailor-made support for the development of the fair and sustainable supply chain from the producer to the consumer. With FairMatch Support, I understood the quote that says: "Nothing is better than Agriculture, nothing is more beautiful, nothing is more worthy of a free man. It is more than enough for the needs of our life." Damase Potvin.
Ibrahim Diomande is Supply Chain Development Assistant
Originally, my motivation for wanting to work in the agricultural sector was to be able to participate in improving the living and working conditions of farmers, who in my opinion were the essential link in the chain. Later, during my education in agriculture and cooperation, I better understood the importance and interdependence of each link, better identified the possible synergies or antagonisms between them, hence the need to have chains of fair and sustainable sourcing so that all stakeholders can benefit. FairMatch Support is the perfect fit for me.
During my agricultural education, I learned to consider the sociological aspects in my approach with the peasant world, which serves me enormously in my activities at FairMatch Support. After my graduation I joined the National Agency for Rural Development Support (ANADER) where I was responsible for all kinds of field activities (training, awareness, surveys). This experience is very beneficial for me work at FairMatch Support.
Richard Bationo is Supply Chain Developer at FairMatch Support.
When I grew up I helped my partners at our farm in Oumé and at my uncle’s farm in Bouake. He produced cocoa, coffee, rice, yam and sweet potato among others. As a reward I received maize, fresh fruits such as oranges and bananas and palm kernels for the whole family back in Bouake.
This beautiful experience has inspired my career path. I realised that working on a farm can be challenging, however I wanted to contribute to accelerate production. How to find reliable outlets for agriculture production? This was one the central issues faced by Burkinabe’s producers we sought to tackle. Looking back I was a but naïve but my drive helped me to work on this aim.
I studied Chemistry, Biology and Geology at the Ouagadougou University. After my license in Chemistry/Biology, I was admitted to the Rural Development Institute, at the Polytechnical University of Bobo-Dioulasso. I graduated as an Engineer in rural sociology and economics. I proceeded with a Master of Science (MSc) in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management in Kwame N’Krumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
After graduation I gained experience in different positions such as Agriculture Value Chains Advisor at the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), Program Coordinator in both Volunteers Association for Development in the Sahel (VDS NGO) and Nian Zwe Federation (FNZ) and Technical Assistant in the framework the Fair Trade Development Program.
My background and various professional experiences enable me to learn and to develop a body of expertise in specific areas such as: Value Chains Organisation and Development, Food security, Principles and Practices of Fair Trade, Organic and agro ecological production and Land governance.
Hervé Kévin AKOU is Supply Chain Development Assistant at FairMatch Support.
I’m aware that the agricultural sector is encountering enormous difficulties in relation to the depreciation of international prices of raw materials in recent years. This is why I am motivated to work in the agricultural sector is to improve the work and life conditions of farmers. In my understanding farmers are the essential link in development of the sector.
I studied Marketing Management at the EDHEC Group. During this education I was able to identify the techniques of commercial strategy and in particular the upstream and downstream market study. Similarly, my Master degree allowed me to understand the importance and interdependence of each link and to better understand the possible synergies or antagonisms between them.
After graduation I joined the NGO ITAD (Ivorian NGO for Appropriate Technologies for Development) where I was in charge of all kinds of field activities such as training, awareness raising and surveys. This work allowed me to acquire enough knowledge and techniques in the field of agriculture. All these skills can be an asset for my activities at FairMatch Support in terms of training and monitoring-coaching of producers and their cooperatives. I joined the FairMatch Support team because I understand the need for fair and sustainable supply chains so that it benefits all actors. Indeed, the supply chain includes not only the producer and his suppliers, but also, according to the logistics flows, the carriers, the warehouses, the retailers and the consumers. My work at FairMatch Support as a sector development assistant have allowed me to acquire a lot of knowledge. First of all to deepen my skills in knowledge of agricultural products, then to understand the essence of the management of agricultural and to understand the training of producers on plant management and environmental conservation.
Lionel Ilboudo is Administrative and Financial Manager at FairMatch Support.
After my Diploma Technician in Finance Accounting, I gained experience in accounting and finance at various sectors such as industry, health care, trade. I worked for different organisations for exammple the accounting firm Sofidec – Nexia International, Falcon Drilling Burkina, ICI Partnairs, Sécuritech Burkina and Sec Diarra Burkina Faso.
The agriculture sector was new for me when I started at FairMatch Support. I was very quickly fascinated by this sector with regard to the different added values provided by the actions of FairMatch Support West Africa both in the agricultural and socio-economic field as well both nationally and internationally.
The contribution of FairMatch Support to the sustainable development of the rural world gives me satisfaction. I’m very enthusiastic about our involvement in the development of the actors of the agricultural sector of my country and of the whole world.
Sandra Kruger and Marthane Swart are Partners in Kruger, Swart Associates.
We are of those lucky people to have ended up in jobs we love. Jobs that give us joy and purpose and regularly challenges us, but that also give us the opportunity to make real change in how we engage with the development of people and supply chains that form the basis of our food system.
After completing her Mphil in Land and Agrarian Reform, Sandra played a crucial role in Fairtrade International entering the South African landscape. The innovation and context specific support needed in a landscape where sustainable certification was a new concept, led Sandra to start her own consultancy firm. As luck would have it, Marthane, after completing her Political Science Masters in Identity Politics, met Sandra at the party of a mutual friend and became an employee and later a partner in the business. Unbeknown to us we were about to start on one of the great journeys of our lives - working together and thinking together and creating a unique business for working change and contributing to the development of sustainable supply chains in Southern Africa.
Over the past 12 years Kruger Swart & Associates has grown to be a steadfast and innovative business partner to local and international businesses, development agencies and governments. The business is multi-dimensional, and our work includes a wide range of aspects such as standards development, value chain analysis and structuring, training and one of our favourite parts - spending time in field with farmers and businesses co-creating solutions for production and market access.
One of the key learnings from our business is that we cannot work or excel in isolation. The more connected we are, the better we are. So, we have become increasingly involved in the development of whole sectors in South Africa and the region. We facilitate multi-stakeholder processes within and across sectors, in both the national and international sphere to identify cross-cutting themes and build strong platforms and networks supported by passionate and expert peers and partners.
Incredible that FairMatch Support has been with us on our journey since the very early years and we now share a history of 12 years working together. Apart from the exceptional work we have done together, Herman and the team has consistently supported us and thought along with us on the direction of the business (and life in general). We are fortunate to have a partner who is so often at the cutting edge of development and who really see and act on the trends long before they become apparent to others. Looking forward to the next horizon!
Sandra Kruger and Marthane Swart are Partners in Kruger, Swart Associates.
We are of those lucky people to have ended up in jobs we love. Jobs that give us joy and purpose and regularly challenges us, but that also give us the opportunity to make real change in how we engage with the development of people and supply chains that form the basis of our food system.
After completing her Mphil in Land and Agrarian Reform, Sandra played a crucial role in Fairtrade International entering the South African landscape. The innovation and context specific support needed in a landscape where sustainable certification was a new concept, led Sandra to start her own consultancy firm. As luck would have it, Marthane, after completing her Political Science Masters in Identity Politics, met Sandra at the party of a mutual friend and became an employee and later a partner in the business. Unbeknown to us we were about to start on one of the great journeys of our lives - working together and thinking together and creating a unique business for working change and contributing to the development of sustainable supply chains in Southern Africa.
Over the past 12 years Kruger Swart & Associates has grown to be a steadfast and innovative business partner to local and international businesses, development agencies and governments. The business is multi-dimensional, and our work includes a wide range of aspects such as standards development, value chain analysis and structuring, training and one of our favourite parts - spending time in field with farmers and businesses co-creating solutions for production and market access.
One of the key learnings from our business is that we cannot work or excel in isolation. The more connected we are, the better we are. So, we have become increasingly involved in the development of whole sectors in South Africa and the region. We facilitate multi-stakeholder processes within and across sectors, in both the national and international sphere to identify cross-cutting themes and build strong platforms and networks supported by passionate and expert peers and partners.
Incredible that FairMatch Support has been with us on our journey since the very early years and we now share a history of 12 years working together. Apart from the exceptional work we have done together, Herman and the team has consistently supported us and thought along with us on the direction of the business (and life in general). We are fortunate to have a partner who is so often at the cutting edge of development and who really see and act on the trends long before they become apparent to others. Looking forward to the next horizon!
Daphne Pit is chairperson of the Supervisory Board of FairMatch Support.
After graduation from business school I gained over 15 years’ experience in both corporate and non-corporate organisations in the sustainability sector. I started working at ING Bank and ENECO, energy supplier. However, more and more, I started to look for true added value in my work. After the birth of my 3 children I felt the need to contribute even more to a better world. So I made the transition to the Renwable Energy department of ENECO.
This turned out to be the beginning of a journey for which I’m still grateful. After working at, amongst others, DSM sustainability and the DOEN Foundation, I started my own company ‘Pit Pure Power’; a consultancy and business development boutique, supporting social enterprises and sustainable business. This has given me the opportunity to work with different companies in the Netherlands, Africa and Asia. Either as business mentor, financing specialist or strategic consultant with a strong focus on energy access companies in Africa, as well as on sustainable supply chains.
This broad scope matched with the aim of FairMatch Support; a company that is combining value driven business with a strong commercial understanding, on a truly international level. The strategic approach and aim for true impact is exciting, but also keeps us as Supervisory Board sharp and committed! It has been a pleasure to be on the board for the past years, and I look forward to continuing working with this highly professional and dedicated team.
Aart van de Bos is on the Supervisory Board of FairMatch Support
My name is Aart van den Bos, born and raised in Westland, the Netherlands. I am truly inspired by the Seventh Generation Principle, a native American philosophy. This philosophy states that decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future. When I look at my 3 children, I feel responsible for their future. In my work I strive to achieve social, ecological, and financial returns and I look at the world from a holistic perspective.
As a pioneering entrepreneur in sustainable agribusiness & innovation I founded various companies in different countries across the world. Such as Ecosystem Services Trading Initiative, Soil & More International and Verbos Business Development. I hold an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management and finished courses at Technical University of Delft and University of Berkely-Haas, California.
Since FairMatch Support works according similar principles I accepted the offer to join the Supervisory Board where we work in - and for - a great team of people.
Joke van der Ven is on the Supervisory Board.
My name is Joke van der Ven. I work at Triodos Investment Management on a sustainable agribusiness credit portfolio in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
My interest in finance and entrepreneurship started during field work in Guatemala when I studied at Erasmus University. I learned more about the reality of informal entrepreneurs and saw how finance enabled them to change their reality.
This continued to be the central theme during my career, working under the flag of United Nations in Nigeria and Malawi assisting small enterprises and promoting microfinance, especially for the farmers. Through the years my role has changed from donor to business advisor and finally to investor, helping agribusinesses to establish stable relationships with the thousands of farmers to market their products.
Since 2015 I have been proud to be part of the Supervisory Board of FairMatch Support. I fully concur with FMS’ strong vision that sustainable value chains start with the development of the entrepreneurship of the farmers, helping them to improve the quality and the marketability of their produce.