We’re thrilled to introduce Frans, our new Growth and Partnership Manager for Netherlands and Belgium.
So we sat down to find out more about him and why he wants to contribute to the arts and culture sector.
Hi Frans. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you did before joining CultureSuite?
I originally studied economics and started my career in the financial sector, where I spent many years working primarily in IT-related roles. After a while, I realised that world no longer really suited me, so I decided to take a different direction. I moved into the creative industry by joining a design agency, and later transitioned into digital marketing through a marketing agency.
On a personal level, I’m the father of two sons, Joost and Luuk, and I’ve been happily together with my partner Tineke for many years.
What enticed you to join CultureSuite?
It was through my work at Afdeling Online that I first got to know CultureSuite. We were looking for a specialised partner active within the cultural sector, and CultureSuite turned out to be a perfect match. They provided the technical platform while we supported organisations with marketing strategies and digital growth. Many of our clients were already using CultureSuite, so I became increasingly familiar with both their website platform and the people behind it.
What really attracted me was not only the product itself, but also the people and the culture of the organisation. I immediately had a great connection with Coen van der Poll and David Johnstone, and through them, I got to know many other colleagues within CultureSuite. There was a strong cultural and professional fit from the start. The fact that CultureSuite is also based in Rotterdam, my hometown, made it even more special.
What’s your earliest experience of arts and culture? And how did it influence who you are today?
When it comes to arts and culture, my earliest memories are actually quite Dutch. One of them is Sinterklaas, which, if you explain it internationally, is almost like a large-scale live role-playing experience centred around storytelling, tradition and imagination. As a child, that was magical. Another strong memory is my very first cinema visit, watching the Dutch movie Ciske de Rat. It was quite an emotional film, but it made a big impression on me at the time. I’m not sure how these experiences shaped me exactly, but they are definitely among my earliest cultural memories.
How would you like to help the sector in your new role?
In my new role, I hope to help cultural organisations make the most of digital opportunities in a way that truly supports their mission. What I really like about CultureSuite is that the platform is built around something most cultural organisations fundamentally share: inspiring audiences and guiding them as smoothly and efficiently as possible towards meaningful experiences and ticket purchases.
The beauty of CultureSuite-powered websites is that the underlying technology is shared and scalable, while every organisation can still maintain its own identity and appearance. That keeps solutions affordable and future-proof, but what really appeals to me is the community aspect behind it. Organisations continuously exchange ideas, inspire one another and help shape the future of the platform together. I’m looking forward to speaking with many people across the sector and exploring how CultureSuite can support their ambitions.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your role at CultureSuite?
Outside of work, I have quite a wide range of hobbies and interests. I enjoy sports such as tennis, golf and padel, and although football is mostly something I watch these days rather than play, I still love the game. I’m also very interested in online gaming, including chess and Magic: The Gathering.
Music is another big passion of mine. At home, I even have a dedicated listening room where I enjoy spending time with music. I also love attending festivals and live concerts, watching arthouse films and series, cooking, dining out, and simply spending quality time with friends and family over good conversations, games and food.
What is the most interesting (be that cool, random or otherwise!) thing that’s ever happened to you?
One particularly memorable cultural experience happened years ago when I spent a month in Russia. During that trip, my partner Tineke came over to visit me, and together we attended a performance of The Nutcracker in Saint Petersburg. Sitting there among Russian audiences, watching such an iconic piece of Russian culture performed at an incredibly high level in a beautiful historic theatre, was truly special. It remains one of the most impressive cultural experiences I’ve ever had.
Interested in joining the CultureSuite team? Check our careers page to see what openings we currently have.
