On 1 July 2025, Erik Schut will take up the position of Director of Bewaken en Beveiligen (Surveillance and Security) at the Dutch Nationaal Coördinator Terrorismebestrijding en Veiligheid (NCTV), a department of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands. In his new role, he will be responsible for the security of vulnerable individuals, objects and services, including judges, politicians, members of the royal family and diplomats.
The NCTV acts both as an implementing body and as the system authority in the state protection system. This system is currently undergoing a profound reform process with the aim of restructuring it into a new Stelsel Beveiligen van Personen (system for the protection of persons) that will be even more effective in countering growing threats. As part of this process, the original coordination department has been expanded into a comprehensive portfolio with five (soon to be six) specialised departments.
Erik Schut had been interim director since mid-2023, responsible for reforming and strategically realigning the protection system. ‘Together with internal and external partners, we have significantly developed the system over the past two years. Now it is increasingly a matter of implementing these measures and enshrining them in law. I am delighted to be able to continue supporting this development,’ said Schut.
Schut previously worked as a unit head at the Dutch Ministry of the Interior, where he held several management positions. He studied Central and Eastern European history at the University of Groningen.
Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security, emphasises:
‘Erik Schut has led the transformation of the protection system with determination and vision. He knows how to combine strategic and operational requirements with the necessary authority. I am delighted to have him in this key role on a permanent basis.’
The position was not advertised publicly. Due to the security-critical requirements profile and the proven interim solution already in place, the decision was made directly in favour of Erik Schut.
