My dear CADS,
How are you all? I can’t quite believe that it is nearly the end of November! I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel that I only just finished my planning for 2023, and its already time to get my jokes out for the Jokathon! I’m writing this on a rare sunny day in Amsterdam. We have had such wet but warm weather here that my garden plants are all confused and have started flowering again. I hope they’ll make it to next spring!
November Meeting
Last Friday was our November lunch at the IGC, Amsterdam. Our guest speaker was Rob Peters, the co-founder of Yeager Energy B.V. He presented to us on what Geothermal energy is; where it is used; and how it could help achieve our national climate ambitions. Rob was a very engaging speaker, and it was interesting to hear about the projects his company is currently working on in the Netherlands and the opportunities for Geothermal energy in the relatively short term. Please look-up the company’s website to learn more.
CADS links to other organisations
CADS is making good progress with its strategy to forge links with other organisations, to expand the CADS membership and resultant networking opportunities. Last month saw us host the President (Lord Taylor) and Chair (Dick van den Broek), of the Anglo- Netherlands Society – ANS. I have since joined the ANS (I think some other CADS members have also joined) so hopefully we can host future events together.
Last week I attended the DBT Investment Awards dinner celebrating successful Dutch investment within the UK. The winning companies were NRC, Newcold, Royal Lemkes, Leap24, and Opcharge. One of the speakers was Lord Dominic Johnson (below), the UK Minister of Investment, and the event was hosted by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe–Chris Barton CMG. It was encouraging to see such high-level representation, and the Dutch companies present were enthusiastic about the potential for development for their operations in the UK.
Crowdfunding Opportunity
Our speaker in February 2024 is Brad Vanstone, the co-founder, and Head of Impact for Willicroft, an award-winning Vegan Cheese producer. While I have been talking with Brad about the presentation, he shared that they have just launched a crowdfunding campaign to support a new product – Vegan butter. I thought some of you might be interested in this, so I attach below an excerpt from an email with more information.
“We’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the launch of our new fermented plant-based butter. This will also enable us to meet the break-even point next year. We describe the Willicroft Original Better as like butter but better. – Like butter – through precise fermentation we’ve replaced butyric acid. We’ve also been achieved the same melting temperature as dairy butter – But better – the product is 7 times lower in emissions than dairy butter and has up to 15g less saturated fat. The feedback on this product has been incredible. As an indication of it’s quality we’ve now got it listed in 4 Michelin star restaurants come January alongside 600 retail stores, 2 caterers, 2 wholesalers and 3 bakers.
If there’s anyone in your network who might be interested in investing we’d really appreciate you sharing the campaign. Ticket sizes start at 1k EUR. Individuals as well as more professional investors are very welcome to join. The crowdfunder page can be accessed here.
Brad Vanstone
Co-Founder & Head of Impact
Introduction to two New Members
I’m delighted to introduce Annette Roodhart. Annette has worked in international HR Director roles in the Netherlands, England and Switzerland. She currently works in interim roles. She is bilingual Dutch-English and has a strong affiliation with England, English culture and literature. Her son went to The British School of Amsterdam before going to boarding school in Canterbury. Until recently, Annette was a Supervisory Board member of the British School of Amsterdam. Welcome Annette!
A big CADS welcome to Henk Reimink. Henk, a Dutchman, moved to New Zealand in the late 70s and started in the steel industry, an industry he remained in till his retirement in 2021. Henk led a truly international career, moving homes and his family more often than they care to recall. His last role was spent in coordinating the decarbonisation of the steel industry with ESG and breakthrough technology development work. Now happily located in Haarlem, Henk is still supporting the steel industry fraternity and energy industry to deliver the green electricity grid and hydrogen for green steel making. Welcome Henk!
