John Obbens

John received his degree in Personnel & Employment Studies in 1986 from the former Markendaal Academy, now the Avans College at Breda, and went to work as an organizational consultant.

During the next five years he carried out HR projects for clients in heavy industry, foodstuffs, trading and commercial services.

From 1992 to 2009, John occupied HR positions in the non-profit sector: hospital, homecare, youth welfare work and special education. During the last eleven of those years he served in HR management positions at two large organizations.

In 2004 he received his Master’s degree in Business Administration, with special focus on the managerial approach to human resources. In 2007 John began his own consultancy, and joined Development Partners as a fulltime partner in 2009.

"The HR profession has grown enormously in recent decades. The struggles and successes that go along with that are things I recognize in my own professional development. A broad practical background and a host of experiences are things I apply to my policy and organizational consultancy work and in coaching on behalf of my clients. My own traits? Let’s put it this way: many people who know me call me energetic, involved, analytical. I experience the greatest pleasure from helping people and organizations to get on track, making people enthusiastic, helping them to see new perspectives!"