The International Cooperative Alliance Board has appointed Jeroen Douglas as its new Director General. Jeroen Douglas will succeed Bruno Roelants who retired in February 2023.
The Search Committee, with the support of the recruitment consultants Norman Broadbent, were able to select from more than 200 high calibre applicants, split almost in equal proportions between male and female, from every region of the world.
Douglas currently serves as Executive Director of Solidaridad, a global network organization that creates fair and sustainable supply chains.
Commenting on the appointment ICA President Ariel Guarco said: “We are happy to have reached a decision having considered applications from a significant number of strong candidates. We believe that Jeroen has all of the qualities we need in a Director General of the organization and that he will make a significant contribution to the development of an ICA that is capable of addressing the challenges we face.”
In accepting the appointment Douglas said: “I am delighted by the decision to appoint me to this position, and I commit myself to serve the Board of the ICA and the the wider cooperative movement to the best of my ability. I consider it a great honor to be able to join such a great organization that has had such an impact on peoples lives over the years and which is based on a set of values which have never been more relevant.”
It is anticipated that Douglas will take up his appointment no later than January 1, 2024 but an exact start date had yet to be determined. In the interim period President Ariel Guarco will continue to cover the responsibilities of Director General.
Douglas will be the 17th Director-General of the ICA, which was founded in 1895.