Each year Quote business magazine publishes the Dutch rich list, ranking the nation’s wealthiest 500 individuals.
In contrast to last year's rich list, the "Qlub 500" has a new face in the top spot for 2014: Frits Goldschmeding. The temping agency tycoon unseated long-term title holder Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken - the beer heiress - as a result of changes in Quote’s judging criteria.
With the 2014 list, Quote magazine decided to shake up its ranking methods. This year, only Dutch people living in the Netherlands were included in the main list. Those millionaires and billionaires who have relocated to other nations, perhaps in search of lower taxes, were deliberately excluded.
As a result, Quote argues that entrepreneurs like Goldschmeding will finally get the recognition they deserve.
| Rank | Name | Worth (euros) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frits Goldschmeding | 3,2 bn | Employment |
| 2 | Dik Wessels | 2,4 bn | Construction |
| 3 | John de Mol | 2,3 bn | Media |
| 4 | Wijnand Pon | 1,8 bn | Transport |
| 5 | Els Blokker | 1,7 bn | Retail |
There is an additional list made up of the wealthiest Dutch nationals living abroad. Out of the top five, two live in Switzerland, with the other three having settled in Belgium, the UK and the US.
Quote also compiled top five lists of the Netherlands' wealthiest women and wealthiest families.
| Rank | Name | Worth (euros) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken | 7,3 bn | Food & Drink |
| 2 | Albert Blokker | 1,7 bn | Retail |
| 3 | Ralph Sonnenberg | 1,6 bn | Interiors |
| 4 | John Fentener van Vlissingen | 1,4 bn | Travel |
| 5 | Leon Melchior | 1,2 bn | Construction |
Frits Goldschmeding, the Netherlands’ wealthiest man, amassed his self-made fortune in the employment sector. Specifically, in the area of temporary employment, which is perhaps more commonly associated with financial instability than it is with great wealth.
However, Goldschmeding‘s enterprise, Randstad Holding, has become the world’s second largest staffing company. Randstad's profits soared as a result of the increased demand for short term employment throughout the global financial downturn.
Amsterdam-based Goldschmeding’s current net worth stands at 3,2 billion euros.
Dik Wessels, who occupies the number two spot on the Quote list, made his fortune in the construction industry. He lives in Amersfoort and has a net worth of 2,4 billion euros.
Wessel's wealth is predominantly derived from his 85 per cent share of VolkerWessels, one of the largest conglomerates in the Netherlands.
In the third spot is media tycoon John de Mol. A well-known Dutch personality, de Mol is recognised as one of the worlds’ reality TV pioneers.
De Mol created formulas for shows such as Big Brother, Fear Factor, Deal or No Deal and The Voice, which have been licenced across the world with enormous success. He currently resides in Blaricum, and his net worth stands at 2,3 billion euros.
The notable omission from this year’s Quote 500 list - on account of her residency in London - is Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken. Her wealth, which stands at 7,3 billion euros, far outweighs that of any other “Qlub 500” member.