Gerard Klijn has over 35 years of experience in the nuts and dried fruits industry. He started as a buyer at his parents’ company, Klijn B (currently Jack Klijn, acquired by Intersnack in the late 90-ties), and held positions at Global Trading & Agency BV. He is the former CEO of Nuts2 Holding BV.

Gerard: “With over 35 years of experience in the Nut industry, the position of independent chair of SNI is a good fit. The desire to see the value chain become stronger, more stable and hence sustainable, has been actively pursued for decades. Leading SNI and its members to jointly pursue that goal, is a true joy and honor.

What has been driving me in life is a deep passion for transformation and partnership. The old African verb says: ‘if you wish to go fast, go alone. If you desire to reach far, go together.’ I believe that while working together, all actors, from farmers to processors, from processors to roasting companies, from roasting companies to supermarkets and the final consumer, focused on one jointly determined goal, we will reach far. And we will see transformation, and in the process even be transformed ourselves.”