De Ruiter, who currently serves as Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Transavia – a low-cost airline based in the Netherlands – will take over from van Lambaart on 1 September in a bold career change for the 52-year-old Dutch businesswoman.
She has worked in the aviation sector for almost her entire career. Since 1998, de Ruiter has held various roles at Transavia and its parent company, Air France-KLM.
Besides serving as the former airline’s COO, a position she has occupied since 2016, de Ruiter was previously Vice President for Cabin Operations. But now, de Ruiter is trading in her wings for roulette wheels.
While an airline executive may seem like a strange choice for the boss of a major land-based and online gaming operator, Willem Bröcker, Chairman of Holland Casino’s Supervisory Board, expressed his confidence in her abilities.
“Petra de Ruiter’s experience and knowledge in the specific combination of guest experience and operational excellence are an excellent match for the person we were looking for after the departure of the previous CEO Erwin van Lambaart,” said Bröcker.
“With our 14 offices and now also online, we work in a highly regulated sector and operate in a complex stakeholder field. Proven expertise is of great importance there.”
De Ruiter was likewise enthused about her appointment, remarking: “In the coming period I look forward to personally getting to know many new colleagues from the branches and the online casino. After all, they are the face of our company.
“I am grateful to Transavia and all colleagues for the past years. At the same time, I am also very much looking forward to this new role and this great challenge.”
Her appointment remains subject to approval. Van Lambaart, meanwhile, stepped down in April to become General Director for Casinos Austria.
