Gijs Spijkers

Judge
DISC Type : Dc

Director IT Strategy & Governance (ad interim) at Coöperatie VGZ

Netherlands

Overview

Gijs Spijkers is a board-level IT executive with over 25 years of experience leading complex digital transformations. He specializes in IT strategy, governance, and helping leadership teams navigate change. He holds an MSc in Business Administration and a certification in AI strategy from INSEAD. Colleagues describe him as dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic.

Outside of his executive roles, Gijs took a year-long sabbatical with his family to Bali, immersing in a community focused on sustainability and global citizenship. His personal interests include mentoring young entrepreneurs, spirituality, and nature, reflecting a passion for continuous learning and personal growth.

His digital journey began in 1997 during an internship at one of the Netherlands’ first internet agencies.

Personality Overview

Objective Thinker

Quality Focused

Generally Skeptic

They take a lot of pride in personal achievements.  More than the product, they care about the impact of the product. They like to move fast and expect the same from others.

Topics They Care About

IT Governance
He actively writes about embedding IT leadership in board-level discussions and focusing on business-aligned metrics beyond simple uptime and cost savings.
AI & Business Strategy
He completed an INSEAD course on AI and Digital Disruption and posts about applying new technologies like AI and Machine Learning to business strategy.
Complex Change Management
His core focus is bringing "clarity and calm" to organizations facing increased complexity, helping executive teams make grounded choices and enable movement.

Media Appearances

Coöperatie VGZ vernieuwt topstructuur. Featured in Coöperatie VGZ – Nieuws & Media

See Now

Work History

4-2025
Director IT Strategy & Governance (ad interim) at Coöperatie VGZ
8-2023 - 7-2024
Travel at Career Break
10-2021
Executive Advisor | Interim CIO | Digital Transformation & IT Strategy at IT-Strategy.com
1-2018 - 9-2021
Director IT & Operations | Divisional CIO at Achmea
11-2015 - 12-2017
Director IT Transformation at Achmea

Education

9-2004 - 9-2006
Master of Science in Business Administration - MSc.BA from Erasmus University Rotterdam
9-1994 - 8-1998
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA from NHL Stenden

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 26 Location : Netherlands Job Level : Mid-senior Designation : Director IT Strategy & Governance (ad interim) at Coöperatie VGZ
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Insights For Selling To Gijs

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Make sure that you circle back fast on any action items, it wins their trust
  • Objectively showcase the impact that your product creates
  • When negotiating terms, help them build an impression that they are the ones calling the shots

DONT's

  • Don’t be in a rush to invite them for a social meet and greet
  • Don’t focus on process and rules, give the impression of being a ‘gets it done’ person
  • Don’t take too much time in sending them information if they ask for any

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Gijs is

  • Conviction around the impact matters the most to them, followed by a sense of achievement and ROI.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Gijs

  • If they decide not to use your product, they will say no clearly.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Gijs move?

  • They can reach decisions fairly quickly if they are convinced.
  • Can Gijs take some risk or not?

  • They don’t mind risks but can be quite binary about them.

You And Gijs

Personality Compatibility


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