About Gerrit Zalm
Listen to the episode
“Don’t be too calculating about your own career. If you enjoy what you do and perform well, opportunities will come — and you’ll be noticed.”
Short biography
Gerrit Zalm is a Dutch economist and public servant, best known as the longest-serving Minister of Finance in Dutch history and the architect of the Zalmnorm, which brought discipline and stability to public finances. After a long career in government and politics, he transitioned to the private sector, serving as CEO of ABN AMRO following its nationalisation. Zalm has held senior leadership roles across public policy, banking, and international boards, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Dutch financial governance.
Fun fact
He is an honorary member of the Dutch Pinball Association and helped put pinball on prime-time TV after a televised match against concert pianist Daniël Wayenberg.
Personal details
Name: Gerrit Zalm
Year of birth: 1952
Previous Positions
1994 – 2002 — Minister of Finance, the Netherlands
2003 – 2007 — Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, the Netherlands
2002 – 2003 — Parliamentary Leader and Party Leader, VVD
1988 – 1994 — Director, Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB)
2009 – 2017 — CEO, ABN AMRO
— Board roles at international organisations including Shell, Moody’s and Danske Bank
Education
1991 – 1995 — PhD in Economics, University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
Last updated 1 February 2026
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