News item | 11-07-2025 | 15:00
The cabinet wants to go to a smaller and more effective system of senior officials who lead the central government. Minister Judith Uitermark of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) today informed the House of Representatives by letter about which steps are being taken for this.
Minister Uitermark: “Officials work in contact with society for and in contact with society. It is therefore important that top officials have practical knowledge and put citizens and companies at the center of tackling problems. An effective official top in which connection and craftsmanship is central helps. The focus comes on a smaller top with more practical knowledge after the reform.”
Decent official top
The Directorate General General Administrative Service (DGABD) supports departments in the recruitment and selection of senior officials, ensures the strengthening of public leadership and a targeted range of training for the official top. In the government service, simplicity, connection and craftsmanship must be central with a focus on senior officials who, as a public leader, serve the public interest. That is why the DGABD is transformed into a new directorate general that focuses on top officials who bear final responsibility after reform. From now on, the managers there (approximately 1250 functions) form the ‘senior management’ with potential to grow into top functions. Together with the departments, the quality and talent development of these managers are being worked in a permanent way.
Knowledge retention
For the departments it is important to find a good balance between professional flow and knowledge retention. By focusing on a longer function duration for the top management group, this balance is guaranteed. The most desirable and effective option is chosen in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Simplicity
It is important that the official top pursues simplicity and austerity in the execution of the work, for example when using service transport, business trips or organizing meetings. This is appropriate for the exemplary role that top officials have in their organization and to society.