During the celebration of her 50th anniversary, co-owner An Beekenkamp of the family business Beekenkamp Group was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. This special royal honour was presented by Mayor B.R. Arends.
An has been with the family business since 1974, which developed, partly under her leadership, into a major supplier in vegetables, potted and bedding plants, packaging and chrysanthemums. The company comprises Beekenkamp Plants - Vegetables and Ornamentals, Deliflor, and Beekenkamp Packaging 🌱.
Since 2000, An has co-owned the business with her sister Margriet.
An Beekenkamp receiving the royal honor. Photo: Thierry Schut
Plantum
From 2001 she has been a volunteer and board member (2004-2016) of Plantum, the association of seed and planting material companies in the Netherlands with some 300 members. An Beekenkamp contributed greatly to the establishment of a European association, where colleagues from EU and non-EU countries meet at the initiative of the Netherlands.
VNO-NCW Westland-Delfland
As a member, and from 2018 as a board member, of VNO-NCW Westland-Delfland (800 members), An Beekenkamp is closely involved in Greenport Westholland as portfolio holder for greenhouse horticulture. In this role she makes a constructive contribution to the regional business climate. An is a true ambassador for the entire horticultural sector and promotes female leadership.
Good Seed and Plant Practices
Since 2009, she has been a volunteer, and from 2019 a board member, of Good Seed and Plant Practices, This foundation is focused on providing healthy seed and young plants. Ms. Beekenkamp dedicated herself to promoting disease-free tomato cultivation to plant breeders.
Inspiring Knowledge Network (IKN).
As secretary-treasurer (2013-2019) and volunteer at IKN, a business association of Westland entrepreneurs with some 80 members, she helped organize meetings and represented the interests of members. To this day, she dedicates herself as an advisor, mainly on horticulture-related issues.
Fleuroselect
For the last ten years, An Beekenkamp has been involved as a board member of Fleuroselect, and helped organize meetings and cultivation trials.Fleuroselect is an international organization for breeders and producers of propagating material in potted and bedding plants.
Looye Growers
As of 2017, An is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Looye Kwekers Holding B.V.
Maasdijk
Finally, An devoted herself to the Maasdijk community as a member of the co-determination council of Basisschool Het Kompas (2005-2007). For ten years she has contributed to the Protestant Congregation Maasdijk, including as vice-chairman of the working group on the merger of Reformed Church and Reformed Congregation.
Want to congratulate An? [email protected]