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Amsterdam, August 22, 2023 – Effective immediately, Ineke Kooistra will start as Chief Executive Officer at Circle8Group, the international IT startup with seven labels in three countries and an expected turnover of over one billion euros. Ineke has been on the supervisory board of AFAS Software since 2021, and until the beginning of this year, she was CEO for more than ten years at The Works, the holding company behind companies including YoungCapital, YoungCapital NEXT & Jobbird. In her new overarching role, she is responsible for further international growth. This includes not only the existing portfolio of companies, but also targeted acquisitions of complementary organizations within and outside Europe. To this end, Ineke will work closely with the current management of the underlying labels.

Over the past decade as The Works’ CEO, Ineke has ensured that the organization has grown into a well-known European player in the staffing market. Those same ambitions live at Circle8Group, of which the expected revenue will break through the one billion barrier this year. “As an international organization, we are making giant leaps. Therefore, we were looking for someone who is able to manage our solid growth ambitions. We found that person in Ineke,” said Guus Franke, CEO of Axiom Partners, parent company of Circle8Group. “Not only because of the wealth of experience she brings, but especially because of her entrepreneurial character and inspiring management style, she is the suitable leader for this job. In addition, she brings a lot of energy and guts, which makes me confident that together we can conquer Europe and the rest of the world.”

New kid on the block

Ineke cites several reasons for her move to Circle8Group: a new challenge, an inspiring company culture and the international stage on which Circle8 Group operates. “After 32 years of non-stop work, I first allowed myself a mini-sabbatical, during which I determined my right next step during a European road trip, among other things,” she says. “Soon, I came into contact with Circle8Group, and it felt right from the start. It is an ambitious company with already wonderful companies in its portfolio. The bold attitude, energy and will to grow are also strongly felt here. I’m thrilled to start as CEO at a company that feels like ‘the new kid on the block’ while delivering great business results.”

International growth strategy

Circle8Group owes its projected revenue of over a billion euros partly to its successful buy-and-build strategy. For example, the IT-staffer acquired the Dutch labels Circle8 (formerly De Staffing Groep), FixedToday and Seven Stars. Earlier this year, the group also acquired Swiss-based Swisslinx and German employment agency Koenigstein. Within all these organizations, the Total Talent Flow prevails, a new view on human capital, which underlines the vision that organizations should always allow their people to make career moves. Both inside and outside the organization. Ineke: “The successful acquisitions and refreshing view on working talent are clear examples of why Circle8Group inspires me. I am eager to strengthen this solid foundation by spreading our vision and adding even more organizations to our group.”

About Ineke Kooistra

In her previous roles and years of experience in the staffing industry, Ineke has proven to drive growth and success where innovation and tech have always been key factors. For example, she held management and director positions at Adecco Group for almost a decade. She then spent over a decade as CEO at the helm of The Works and YoungCapital, which she transformed into the market leader for young talent in Europe. In addition, she is currently serving as a supervisory board member at AFAS Software in Leusden since September 2021.