Beekman succeeds Marc Roelofsen, who is stepping down after almost nine years at the helm. He brings with him extensive international experience in building and scaling consumer brands and production-driven organisations. Beekman comments: “Basil and MIK are built on an exceptionally strong foundation of distinctive products, powerful brands and a highly committed team. My ambition is to further unlock international market potential through an innovative way of working, optimised processes and a competitive market approach that adapts to changing market conditions. I have every confidence that this strong foundation will enable us to further strengthen and expand our organisation.”
From left to right: Marthijn van Balveren, José ten Hoope, Tim Polman, Marcel Beekman & Marc Roelofsen.
The management team was previously bolstered with the appointment of Tim Polman as Director of Operations, responsible for Supply Chain, Purchasing and Product Management. Polman brings international experience from product design-driven organisations and focuses on scalability, quality and operational robustness. Furthermore, José ten Hoope is responsible for the commercial development of Basil and MIK as Director of Sales and Marketing. Her focus is on international growth, wholesale, retail and OEM relationships, as well as on further refining brand positioning and collection development.
The owner, Marthijn van Balveren believes that this leadership composition represents an important next step:
“Marc and I have shared a wonderful period of collaboration and a clear division of roles. Largely thanks to his leadership, I was able to focus on developing MIK into the ecosystem it has become today, for which I am deeply grateful. Together with the new management team and our entire organisation, we will continue to build two strong brands, each with its own distinct role. Basil continues to stand for design, enjoyment and everyday use. MIK focuses on convenience and compatibility. I am grateful that we can continue to work with so many partners on bicycles and cycling to make them simpler, more attractive and more enjoyable for everyday use. Ultimately, we do this to make cycling just a little better every day for people who cycle to work, transport their children or simply enjoy a nice bike ride.”
In the coming period, Marc Roelofsen will gradually hand over his responsibilities to his successor and will remain involved to support the handover and provide advice.
