Petra de Ruiter has been confirmed as Chief Executive Officer of Holland Casino, a position that the current Chief Operations Officer at Transavia, a Dutch airline that is a subsidiary of KLM, will take up from September 1, 2022.
De Ruiter succeeds Erwin van Lambaart in the position, after the previous incumbent last year confirmed his departure after being named as the general manager of Casinos Austria.
As of the aforementioned date, the Holland Casino board of directors will consist of de Ruiter; Ruud Bergervoet, Chief Financial Officer; and Malinda Miener, Chief Compliance Officer.
Willem Bröcker, chair of the Holland Casino Supervisory Board, explained: “Petra de Ruiter’s experience and knowledge in the specific combination of guest experience and operational excellence are an excellent match for the person we were looking for after the departure of the previous CEO Erwin van Lambaart.
“With our 14 offices and now also online, we work in a highly regulated sector and operate in a complex stakeholder field. Proven expertise is of great importance there. Holland Casino is in a strong recovery period after the past corona years.
“The restructuring that started in 2020 and the continuous social and political attention for the gambling sector requires decisiveness and dictates that we take our responsibility every day.”
De Ruiter, who has worked in various roles at Air France-KLM and Transavia since 1998, currently sees the entire day-to-day operation, including safety at the latter, fall under her responsibility.
“Hospitality is in the DNA of all employees at Holland Casino, a crucial and distinguishing value, which is also vital in my current job,” commented de Ruiter.
“Whether online or offline, every guest simply wants to feel seen, heard and valued. Holland Casino is a cordial, responsible and leading entertainment company with 3,500 employees who want the best for all guests every day.
“That is why Holland Casino offers its guests games of chance in a safe and responsible environment. In the coming period I look forward to personally getting to know many new colleagues from the branches and the online casino.
“After all, they are the face of our company. I am grateful to Transavia and all colleagues for the past years. At the same time, I am also very much looking forward to this new role and this great challenge.”