My name is Jakob Jan Verbraak, and as of 1 March 2025, I joined Van de Groep & Olsthoorn Food BV as Partner and Senior Consultant. Together with Hans Hilbrands and the Van de Groep & Olsthoorn team, I’m proud and excited to have launched this new food sector specialisation within our firm.
I studied Food Technology at Wageningen University and began my career in early 1994 in a quality management role in the food industry. In mid-1996, I accidentally stumbled into the world of recruitment and became Branch Manager in Wageningen at Ingenieurs Uitzendcombinatie (IUC). In 2000, I joined DUPP as a Recruitment Consultant, specialising in the (international) food sector. In 2016, I became co-owner of a new division within DUPP: Food Executive Search, focused on senior management and executive-level appointments.
The food industry continues to fascinate me. Everyone eats and drinks daily, and the impact of what we consume on our health, well-being, society and planet is immense. The pace of change in this sector – driven by sustainability, health trends, consumer behaviour, innovation, and, increasingly, artificial intelligence – is accelerating. These shifts present organisations with major challenges now and in the years ahead. Naturally, this also changes the expectations placed on directors, C-level candidates and senior managers. I am passionate about guiding the process of connecting these evolving roles with the right talent.
Since 2002, I’ve lived in Ede with my wife and two daughters. I have broad interests when it comes to hobbies: I enjoy running in and around Ede, and regularly cheer on my daughters during their hockey matches. I follow many sports as a fan, enjoy a wide range of music, and have recently returned to the theatre more often. I also have a particular love for history and knowledge-based quiz shows.
