The sharp eye of Daniël de Swaan

As of January 1, 2025, he will celebrate his twentieth anniversary at Meijers—a significant milestone. Daniël de Swaan, CEO at Meijers, began his career at a major American investment bank. Early in his professional life, he lived and worked in London for a while. The lessons he learned there continue to serve him well to this day. “An incredible enrichment.” To anyone at the start of their career, he offers this advice: “Seize the opportunity and, if possible, spend a few years working abroad.”

How do you see the future of AI at Meijers?

"At Meijers, we are on the brink of an exciting journey in the field of artificial intelligence. We’re already using tools like CoPilot and ChatGPT for practical tasks. But the real potential lies within our core processes. AI can help us streamline administrative tasks, while for complex risks, the human touch remains essential. Technology and personal interaction complement each other."

How does Meijers uphold its core values in a world driven by technology and data?

"Meijers is a family business, and you can feel that in everything we do. Our core values—personal, reliable, and ambitious—are deeply embedded in our DNA. We focus on long-term relationships. We use technology and data to better support our clients and streamline processes, always prioritizing user-friendliness. By leveraging data smartly, we continuously improve our services and ensure that we truly unburden our clients. At the same time, we keep looking ahead and making plans for the long term."

What trends do you see in the insurance and risk management industry?

"Cybersecurity and sustainability will remain dominant trends in the coming years. The new DORA legislation has a significant impact, as do the CSRD reporting regulations. We are taking a leading role in this. I’m proud that we were the first brokerage to introduce a sustainability clause for our clients."

What does a typical workday look like for you as CEO? Which routines help you stay agile and well-informed?

"I start the day with a 30-minute ‘daily kickoff’ with my team, followed by a few meetings with colleagues, or I visit a client or prospect. In the evening, there’s occasionally a business dinner. We have a lot of informal discussions with the executive team and key employees. Communication lines are short, which keeps us well-aligned and efficient."

You lead a fast-growing organization and navigate constant change. How do you find balance in leadership?

"Leading a fast-growing organization is all about collaboration. Fortunately, I’m not doing it alone—I have the support of a fantastic team. We have so many incredible people working with us, and that makes my job a lot easier."

Engagement in times of growth

"How do we stay close to our clients, even as we grow? Simple: by prioritizing personal contact. We regularly visit our clients and listen closely to their needs. Emails and websites are useful, but face-to-face meetings or a quick phone call remain indispensable."

Staying engaged in times of growth

"How do we stay close to our clients, even as we grow? Simple: by focusing on personal contact. We regularly visit our clients and actively listen to their needs. Emails and websites are useful, but face-to-face meetings or a quick phone call remain essential."