Jan Voorrips retires

When the computer was still tucked away in a corner

In the late 1970s, Jan enrolled in Civil Engineering at TU Delft, driven by his interest in the built environment. “I wanted to build things for people,” he says. “Although, I’ve also worked on plenty of things that never got used in the end.”

He has fond memories of his time in Delft. Not only did he study there, but he also lived there for a while with his wife and children. He started his professional career at a technical consultancy firm, where he performed calculations for steel constructions.

“Back then, you still had an entire room full of people standing behind large drawing boards. Everything was drawn by hand; computers were only just making an appearance. They were tucked away in a tiny corner.”

Jan looks back on that time with fondness. “I’m glad I got to experience those days. In our office in Zwolle, you can see photos of draughtsmen in smocks behind their drawing tables. The building dates from 1959 – it’s as old as I am!”

What they don't teach at university

After graduating, Jan worked at several technical consultancies. This gave him a look behind the scenes at various organisations. One name stood out: Ballast Nedam. “At a construction company, the work doesn’t stop at performing calculations and giving advice. There’s a team to actually build it. That practical execution, that’s something they don't teach you at university.”

Without knowing he would stay for nearly thirty years, he started as a structural engineer at Ballast Nedam Engineering. His technical foundation proved valuable, but he quickly learned that knowledge alone isn’t enough. “It helps if you understand how a building is put together. But you also discover that disciplines need one another. An architect is nothing without a user, just as a structural engineer is nothing without an architect.

His most important takeaway from those early years? The answer comes quickly. “At the end of the day, you have to talk to the people who are actually going to build it. You can’t convey everything through a drawing or a report. Human contact is crucial. That’s when you get feedback you can actually use. And it makes your design better, too.”

From structural engineer to developer

Around the turn of the century, Jan moved to the development side of construction. Among other projects, he worked on various stadiums in the Netherlands. “It broadened my horizon. Stadiums are multi-functional, and the surrounding area always offers opportunities.” As a result, his focus gradually shifted from buildings to the environment.

It wasn’t long before Jan made the permanent move to the development branch, Ballast Nedam Development. “In construction, there is a heavy focus on feasibility and costs. In development, it’s also about adding value. You have to have an eye for the interests of the users and for the living environment.” He was drawn to this different way of thinking.

In the years that followed, his responsibilities grew steadily. He lead projects, managed teams and developed a clearer view of the big picture. Eventually, he rose to the position of MT member for property development, responsible for an extensive portfolio and the people working on it. “That requires a different skill set. Not just technical expertise, but also organisational and leadership skills. I found it very rewarding, especially when a team aligns and different ideas start to click together.”

Joining VanWonen

In 2019, Jan crossed paths again with Alfred Bolks, who had founded VanWonen two years prior. The two knew each other from previous partnerships, such as the Euroborg stadium project. Alfred was looking for someone with broad experience who could bring structure and help make careful investment decisions. The company was young and consisted of people from diverse backgrounds.

“There was a need for greater uniformity in how we worked,” Jan says. “And for someone who could act as a go-to person for colleagues who hadn’t worked on many projects yet. I’d been around the block a few times. The idea of turning that experience into knowledge others could benefit from really appealed to me.”

After nearly thirty years at Ballast Nedam, the switch might seem like a big leap, but he doesn’t see it that way. “My career at that time had not been spent in a single role or setting. I’ve changed positions more often; it just happened to be within the same company.”

The timing couldn’t have been better. As a board member of the pension fund, he was overseeing the merger with another fund; a complex process in which risk management plays a central role. “The pension training I was taking introduced me to risk management as a discipline. The transfer of that fund coincided with Alfred’s request. It all lined up perfectly."

Independent from construction firms

VanWonen distinguishes itself in the market by operating independently of construction firms. Jan noticed the difference immediately. “Many developers are affiliated with a construction company. Not here. As a result, there is a stronger focus on the customer, the eventual resident.”

He considers it an interesting turn in his career. “At the start of my career, I deliberately chose a construction company so that I could be close to the execution. Later on, I saw the added value of independent development.”

By his own modest account, he ‘didn’t make any radical changes,’ though he was significantly involved in fine-tuning investment decisions. “As a developer, you work with large sums of money, often from third parties. You have to know which risks you’re taking and how much you can carry. While risks are unavoidable, they must be calculated.”

Jan feels this aligns with the ethos of VanWonen: “Plenty of ambition, but with both feet firmly on the ground.”

Patience and expertise

What is he most proud of? “There’s a lot of fulfilment when, after years of working together, a project is completed just as planned. I love the fact that the people who will be living in those homes have no idea what it took to get there,” he says, smiling. Examples he mentions include the shopping centre in Amstelveen, the stadiums that still pop up on the news regularly, and the Hart van de Waalsprong area development in Nijmegen.

His advice to others in the sector is clear: “You need to have staying power. If you want to build in the Netherlands but lack patience, you’re in the wrong business. It always takes longer than planned. Something unexpected always happens. But for almost every problem, there is ultimately a solution, provided you bring in the right expertise.”

Sometimes, that insight comes from unexpected places. Not just the advisors or specialists at the start of the process hold the answers, the people who are involved in the execution also play a vital role. On the construction site, you find a different kind of knowledge: practical, solution-oriented, and shaped by experience. It is precisely this combination of perspectives that gets stalled projects moving again.

He recalls a project involving a small flower stall located right where a shopping centre and underground car park were slated for construction. Despite repeated efforts by the municipality and the developer, the owners were unwilling to relocate. “That was their right, of course. Eventually, the contractors came up with a very practical solution in consultation with the owners. They built a temporary spot further down the road with brand-new asphalt, craned the whole stall over to it, and set it down. Everyone was happy.”

Not five days a week anymore

Even on his last working day, Jan is at his desk by half past eight on the dot. He is still in the thick of handing over his responsibilities. “You want to leave things in a good state for the next person. And yet, you catch yourself wanting to finish just a few more things. Of course, not all of the latter is possible.”

After forty-one years of full-time work, a new chapter is beginning. His wife retired a year ago, and together they are looking forward to having more time. For city trips, for their grandchildren, and for everything that used to be squeezed into evenings and weekends. “We can slow down and relax more now. I’m looking forward to it.”

He mentions, almost as an afterthought, that he has been studying Italian and Spanish for some time now. This drive for continuous growth has characterized his professional life, and his curiosity shows no signs of fading. It is unlikely he will step away from his field completely. “Perhaps I will take something on again,” Jan says. He is quick to add with a chuckle: “But not five days a week anymore!”

On 5 March 2026, we say goodbye to Jan. After a 41-year career, he leaves behind a rock-solid foundation. It’s time for a new chapter. Thanks for everything, Jan, and enjoy your retirement!