General Dick Berlijn
Senior Board Advisor, Deloitte; Retired Royal Netherlands Air Force four-star general
General Dick Berlijn retired from the Dutch Armed Forces in 2008 as Chief of Defence. Trained in Canada and following his operational time as an F-16 fighter pilot, Commander of the Tactical Air Force (1998) and Commander of the Air Force (2000), in 2005 he became the first Commander of the Armed Forces. As such he was the highest ranking officer, commanding the Dutch forces – Navy, Army and Air Force – and acting as the main advisor to the Defence minister. In addition to being responsible for the operations of the Dutch military abroad, he was responsible for the many reorganisations during that period. During his tenure the Dutch Armed Forces were active in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arabian Gulf and the African continent. He currently works within Deloitte’s Risk Services practice, where he is involved in advisory engagements, usually focusing on Public Order and Safety, Cyber security, strategy, international cooperation, risk management in general and leadership. Berlijn knows both the world of politics and the civil service inside and out. He knows the official and political possibilities and impossibilities. In addition to his work with Deloitte, Berlijn holds a seat in various advisory committees dealing with safety issues. What’s more, he regularly speaks leaders of the political parties and interest groups.
General Dick Berlijn retired from the Dutch Armed Forces in 2008 as Chief of Defence. Trained in Canada and following his operational time as an F-16 fighter pilot, Commander of the Tactical Air Force (1998) and Commander of the Air Force (2000), in 2005 he became the first Commander of the Armed Forces. As such he was the highest ranking officer, commanding the Dutch forces – Navy, Army and Air Force – and acting as the main advisor to the Defence minister. In addition to being responsible for the operations of the Dutch military abroad, he was responsible for the many reorganisations during that period. During his tenure the Dutch Armed Forces were active in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arabian Gulf and the African continent. He currently works within Deloitte’s Risk Services practice, where he is involved in advisory engagements, usually focusing on Public Order and Safety, Cyber security, strategy, international cooperation, risk management in general and leadership. Berlijn knows both the world of politics and the civil service inside and out. He knows the official and political possibilities and impossibilities. In addition to his work with Deloitte, Berlijn holds a seat in various advisory committees dealing with safety issues. What’s more, he regularly speaks leaders of the political parties and interest groups.
