‘Baarsma joined the bank a few years ago as a possible successor to CEO Wiebe Draijer. She held various positions, but was never able to get through to the bank’s board,” says FD reporter Rutger Betlem.
Baarsma will leave on March 1 this year. According to the paper, with the departure, Rabobank loses a well-known media personality, but also someone who has regularly attracted controversy, Betlem said. He’s always liked being up front. For example, she presented herself as the leading figure of Herstel-NL, an organization that opposed the corona measures, and also came out in support of Sywert van Lienden’s face mask deal.’
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“We have heard from the bank that Baarsma has fans within the bank, but there are also many people who have frowned at what he does in the media,” Betlem says. Baarsma herself does not want to comment on his departure, nor is it clear what the economist will do after his departure.
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“No Consequence”
In an internal memo held by the FD, Baarsma writes: “As my learning curve is leveling out after these two years and becoming less steep, it’s time for me for a new challenge.”
According to a bank spokesman, his departure has no consequences for the continued existence of the sustainable initiative. Baarsma will be replaced by Roland van der Vorst, Head of Innovation at Rabobank.