Former CEO Wim van der Leegte passed away on the night from Saturday to Sunday. The first reactions to the sudden death emerged on Sunday afternoon. Van der Leegte was known as accessible, someone who spoke the language of the workplace and as a smart and creative entrepreneur who provided many jobs, say people who experienced him up close.
The Brabant King’s Commissioner, Ina Adema, is affected by the sudden death of Wim van der Leegte. “This nasty news affects me. Wim was active, I spoke to him on numerous occasions. He was an entrepreneur through and through who meant a lot to Brabant. He saw opportunities where others saw problems and knew how to achieve successes.”
At the same time, despite all the business successes, Van der Leegte also remained very human, she remembers. “He was approachable to everyone and had a warm heart for the people who worked for him. In 2012 he more than deservedly received the Medal of Honor and honorary citizenship of Brabant.”
Socially concerned
The VDL company showed its social commitment by sponsoring many clubs, associations and cultural organizations. The Noordbrabants Museum and the Frits Philips Music Building, for example, could count on support. But Van der Leegte was also known for his big sporting heart. With sponsorship of the Eindhoven Marathon and great involvement with football clubs FC Eindhoven and PSV.
PSV said in a response that it was saddened to learn of Van der Leegte’s death. “Wim van der Leegte was associated with PSV personally and with his company for decades. He was active in the Supervisory Board and he is one of the founders of the Brainport Partnership.” At the club’s 110th anniversary, Wim van der Leegte was appointed Honorary Member of PSV.
FC Eindhoven is also reacting with dismay:
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There are also many memories of the former VDL boss among trade unions. Trade unions were also sometimes at odds with Wim van der Leegte. Despite the fact that he created enormous employment. “He was a man of principles,” says FNV spokesman Ron van Baden. “He was like a paterfamilias and imposed his work ethic on his employees. For example, he found taking a short break or working flexibly difficult.”
Yet he also had a great eye for his employees, Van Baden remembers. “On the other hand, he always chose to keep production in the area. Even though outsourcing work abroad might have been more beneficial. All discussions took place with enormous mutual respect. Van der Leegte seemed to know all the employees, knew everything and came genuinely interested in it, I admire that.”
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