The NDS Council is an independent advisory group that supports and accelerates the implementation of the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS). Composed of specialists from government, academia, and industry, the Council provides both requested and unsolicited guidance to the State Secretary for Digitalisation and the Digitalisation Governance Forum on the progress and implementation of the NDS. The Council also promotes digital innovation and encourages collaboration across sectors.
Response from the Chair of the NDS Council to the decision not to proceed with the NDS Council:
“Willemijn Aerdts, State Secretary for Digital Economy and Sovereignty, has informed the NDS Council that she will not sign the Council’s establishment decision. She intends to organise the advisory process differently, while respecting what has already been achieved and the excellent group of people we have brought together in the Council. She and Gerdine Keijzer-Baldé, recently appointed to lead the transition, conveyed this message to all our Council members in a thoughtful, personal telephone conversation.”
“Of course, it is a shame that this particular format will not continue, but I also see opportunities to continue sharing our substantive insights in other ways. We will do so shortly, with advice on the Dutch Digital Service (Nederlandse Digitale Dienst, NDD). We are grateful for what we have already contributed during the NDS start-up phase, and we are pleased to see that the cabinet continues to make a strong investment in the NDS.
Balancing the continuity of government service delivery with the need for a turning point towards greater autonomy in digitalisation is a major challenge that requires political attention and careful policy consideration. In doing so, we hope the opportunities this presents for Dutch businesses will be seized, and we will contribute to the necessary transitions.”
Early May 2026: The NDS Council presents its final advice on the Digital Service. Read the article.
More information
NDS Council's response to coalition agreement
The NDS Council has responded to the coalition agreement as follows: “As the NDS Council, we are ready to support the cabinet in seizing the opportunities of digitalisation.” On behalf of the Council, Nathan Ducastel notes that a clear intergovernmental strategy for digitalisation, including digital autonomy, is already in place for the cabinet to build on: the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS). “This strategy is widely endorsed by all levels of government, the market, and academia. Now it’s time for action, with the resources and implementation capacity required.” Read his blog on iBestuur’s website (Dutch).
Composition of the NDS Council
The NDS Council comprises 14 members and a chair, each with expertise in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data exchange, cloud technology, and the enhancement of digital public services. Members representing government organisations also act as chairs of acceleration teams within the NDS implementation programme.
Members of the NDS Council:
- Nathan Ducastel, Managing Director at VNG-Realisatie; Chair of the NDS Council
- Arre Zuurmond, Former Government Commissioner for Information Management
- Bas Dunnebier, Chief Science and Technology Officer, AIVD
- Emily Glastra, Chair, NLdigital (Dutch Digital Technology Association)
- Inge Bryan, Independent Security Advisor
- Nitesh Bharosa, Professor of GovTech and Innovation, TU Delft
- Paul Timmers, Professor, KU Leuven; University of Rijeka; European University Cyprus
- Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, CEO and Chair of the Executive Board, TNO
- Emine Özyenici MCM, Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Justice and Security (JenV)
- Hans Ouwehand, Chair of the Executive Board, CAK; Chair, Citizen and Business-Centric Acceleration Team
- Maarten Jonke, Acting Director of Information Flows and Digital Development/CIO at the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration’s Benefits Agency, and Chair of the Digital Resilience and Autonomy Acceleration Team
- Ron Kolkman, Chief Engineer-Director and CIO, Rijkswaterstaat; Chair, Cloud Acceleration Team
- Tanja van Burgel, CIO, Ministry of Finance; Chair, Digital Expertise Acceleration Team
- Larissa Zegveld, Director-General, Kennisnet Foundation; Chair, Standardisation Forum; Priority Lead, Artificial Intelligence
- René Steenvoorden, member of the UWV Executive Board, Chair of the Intergovernmental Data Consultation, and Chair of the Data Acceleration Team
In the media
- iBestuur, response NDS Council to the coalition agreement, February 2026 (Dutch)
- Special Publiek Denken, interview Nathan Ducastel on the importance of the NDS, November 2025 (Dutch)
- iBestuur, blog Nathan Ducastel, October 2025(Dutch)
- Rijksoverheid.nl, nieuwsbericht lancering NDS-Raad, September 2025 (Press release “Launch of NDS Council” on Rijksoverheid.nl, in Dutch)
- NL Digital Government, featured story NDS prioritises responsible data use, September 2025
