Ruys was Secretary-General at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment between 2002 and 2008. After that he was, among other things, an advisor to the municipal council of Amsterdam and municipal secretary of Groningen. He also worked temporarily at the Dutch Healthcare Authority and the NVWA.
Ruys, 67, has previously led independent committees. He was investigating financial misconduct at the central works council of the police. He also investigated problems at the House for Whistleblowers.
In the coming weeks, Ruys will set up his committee to investigate the crisis approach and evacuation from Afghanistan. The opposition did not want De Grave because he was previously Minister of Defense and his appointment played into the hands of the appearance of partiality, according to the opposition.