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CLUB LOVE OF BV NEDERLAND: COR VAN ZADELHOFF

Cor van Zadelhoff is an international real estate entrepreneur who has been a market leader in the Netherlands for more than 50 years. His latest purchase is the Slotervaart Hospital in Amsterdam, which will allow it to retain its current purpose, social care and welfare.Text: Jaap de Groot | Online Editor: Natasha Hendriks
Image: John van Helvert

You have drawn your club sentiment more broadly than the others in this report. Your club is Orange. How do you mean that?

Cor van Zadelhoff: "It is for me the association with my institution. I'm double Dutch! And Orange belongs to the Netherlands, the country where I live, the country where I live and the country where I pay my taxes. With a lot of respect for the multicultural society, in which the new compatriots do not behave like outsiders, but can take their beautiful customs and traditions with them. Of course with one hundred percent respect for Dutch culture, by, among other things, mastering the Dutch language as quickly as possible. Sport has an exemplary function in this respect. In the Dutch team there is no difference, Orange is one team."

When did that special Orange feeling arise? 

"That started in 1968 with the establishment of my own brokerage firm in response to the looming trend in the Netherlands to use foreign brokers, and then the English in particular. I have no problem at all if someone is better, but not that preference is based on image. Moreover, the English did not have to abide by the ethical and strict Dutch (tariff) rules, which did apply to me and limited my business freedom. It was beyond my honor to have a foreign market leader in my industry in the Netherlands. Therefore, I started taking the same line as the British, so for example, I no longer adhered to the prescribed tariff rules, which I thought were nonsense even then. I am proud that I finally succeeded in being our country's market leader for 50 years. That I showed that we Dutch also have what it takes. Remarkably, in the same period, this also happened through sports. Footballers, speed skaters, Olympians competed with the world top in the late sixties and with success. With of course the World Cup in 1974 as the icing on the cake, when for the first time the whole of the Netherlands turned orange."

What does the Orange jersey stir in you?

Cor van Zadelhoff: "It's a feeling that arises subconsciously. You don't have to like field hockey, swimming or soccer to get that feeling. Created by Dutch people who, for example at the Olympics, achieve something very special. Being acutely proud of someone like Johan Cruijff, even though he plays for Barcelona. Because he is a Dutchman. That's why ING belongs on the shirt of the Dutch team and not a foreign company. As the bank's Supervisory Board, you don't have to love soccer to realize that the PR power and charisma of a successful Dutch team is unparalleled. So the bank helps the soccer and the soccer helps the bank. Benefits the whole of the Netherlands."

What is your most treasured moment with Orange? 

"Of course countless matches of the Dutch national team and unique achievements of our Olympians, but my most precious moment I keep close to myself. That was in 2017 when my Friesian horse Tjebbe became 500 champion breeding stallion of the Netherlands. A Dutch champion who was not bred in Friesland, but in Breukelen. That gave me a very special feeling. After all, a 'Friesian' is a unique native breed of horse. Winning that title was therefore really a very special moment."

MASTERS #45

MASTERS #45