Holland Casino promotes from within for new director of operations
Dutch operator names Hans van Slooten as Noël Leise’s successor as he steps down after almost four decades of service
Hans van Slooten will replace Noël Leise as Holland Casino’s director of operations in October, bringing an end to the veteran’s four-decade stay at the operator.
Van Slooten first joined the firm in 2021, arriving as regional casino manager for the north-east – his first role in the industry.
Prior to that, he worked for Dutch school network Meerscholen for three years and lists the airline KLM and Sligro Food Group as his previous employers.
His career path differs significantly from his predecessor, with Leise joining Holland Casino 39 years ago as a croupier.
Over the next four decades, he worked as a gaming consultant for the organisation and worked his way up the ranks, holding positions such as manager of operations between May 1998 and March 2005 and COO between June 2009 and April 2014.
He was then appointed casino director for six properties in the southern part of the Netherlands before being named director of operations in January 2021.
Leise (pictured below) also held the role of regional casino manager for the south-east region while he was director of operations.
Petra de Ruiter, Holland Casino CEO, said Van Slooten was a worthy internal successor, while praising Leise’s lengthy years of service.
She said: “Hans has a lot of experience both inside and outside Holland Casino. His strength is that he is close to the people, both our guests and our employees.
“In addition, I am extremely grateful to Noël for his years of dedication and commitment to Holland Casino. I have great admiration for the fact that someone who has been with a company for so long can still think so fresh about the future.
“That is not given to everyone. I am pleased that Noël is prepared to use his knowledge and expertise for Holland Casino in the coming months.”
Leise, who will stay at the company until 1 July 2025 to complete several projects, said that leaving the firm would be an emotional process.
“When you have worked for a great company like ours for almost 40 years, it is difficult to choose the right moment to pass the baton,” he said.
“After all, Holland Casino is such a part of my life that it cannot help but hurt a little. I am happy that I can still be meaningful for the future of our company in a different way in the coming period.
“I have every confidence that Hans will fill the role of director of operations very well in his own way and I wish him every success with that.”
Van Slooten said it was an honour to succeed Leise and admitted that “although it will not always be easy to follow in his footsteps, I will take on my responsibilities with, and for, the operation with dedication”.
Holland Casino has not named Van Slooten’s replacement as regional manager.
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.