Apollo Executive Search was established in 2016 by former strategy consultants and entrepreneurs Peter Zeeuw van der Laan and Maarten van der Kwaak.
The company started out by connecting some of the most successful private equity funds and fastest-growing scaleups in the Netherlands to top-tier candidates exiting strategy consulting through a members-only platform ConsultancyExit.com.
In the years that followed, Apollo has expanded its services and established itself as one of the foremost executive search partners for investors and founders of mid-size growth companies in the Dutch market who are seeking to attract local or global C-level talent.
We have built an especially strong track record through lasting partnerships with many well-known investors both in the Private Equity and Venture Capital space. To date, we have partnered with 100+ clients and have successfully completed 200+ searches.
Apollo Executive Search is part of Capenti. Capenti combines the established expertise of executive search and interim management, represented by Schelstraete Delacourt, Apollo Executive Search and Minds&More. In today’s landscape marked by talent shortage, we are witnessing a convergence between interim and permanent employment. Whereas Schelstraete Delacourt and Apollo Executive Search work extensively to ensure their clients benefit from a long-term strategic placement, Minds&More operates in a landscape where speed and flexibility are quintessential.
We are always looking for prospective colleagues with a background in business or consultancy and a strong interest in a diverse set of industries.
Our own backgrounds are wide-ranging from a former CFO of a SaaS scaleup to a Harvard-educated PhD to former consultants, and we very much welcome additional diversity.
If you are an experienced professional with a strong interest in business and people you can get in touch by emailing peter@apolloexecutivesearch.com.
Peter is Managing Partner and co-founder of Apollo and has worked in executive search since 2016. Prior to Apollo, Peter worked as a consultant at McKinsey (between ’10 and ’15) and as Managing Director / co-founder of Carmudi Indonesia with Rocket Internet.
Peter graduated cum laude from TU Delft with an MSc in Applied Physics after exchanges to Zurich, China, Singapore and Barcelona.
Peter enjoys sailing and cycling through the French countryside with his girlfriend Lisette.
Maarten works with entrepreneurs and investors across industries on C-level executive searches and succession plans. Maarten works closely with especially Private Equity on their portfolio operations.
Before co-founding Apollo, Maarten built a number of successful recruitment businesses including Legal Top Talent that he founded as a student, The Legal Bench, ConsultancyExit and MatcHR, which serves leading tech companies worldwide. He began his career as a strategy consultant at Roland Berger in Amsterdam.
Jan enjoys family live with his wife and two children and likes to spend time on cooking, reading and running through Amsterdam’s parks.
Contact:
jan@apolloexecutivesearch.com +31653746563
Thirza supports entrepreneurs and investors across industries on their C-level search and assessment needs.
Contact:
thirza@apolloexecutivesearch.com
+31655502942
Pleun works closely with CEOs, founders/ entrepreneurs and investors across a broad variety of industries to advise on leadership challenges and recruit top talent for a range of executive roles. With more than 10 years of experience as a leadership advisory and executive search consultant, Pleun advises on (amongst others) succession planning, talent development and diversity in light of long-term company objectives.
Prior to joining Apollo, Pleun was a senior consultant at leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates, where she led the European Supply Chain Practice and worked in particular for the Energy and Industrial sectors. Pleun started her career as a lawyer at Allen & Overy, where she worked as a corporate/commercial lawyer in the Energy Sector.
Pleun holds a Masters in Law from the University of Maastricht.
Pleun loves to spend her free time camping and skiing with her daughter. She is also a board game enthusiast and tries to convince people to join her for a game, every chance she gets.
Contact:
pleun@apolloexecutivesearch.
Karen works with entrepreneurs and investors across industries on C-level executive searches as well as searches for senior strategy, commercial, and operational roles.
Before joining Apollo, Karen worked in the financial services industry in London for 10 years (KBC Bank and Fortis Bank), after which she started a career in executive search in Singapore. From 2016, Karen was a senior consultant in a boutique recruitment consultancy in The Hague (Vroom & Van den Heuvel), with a main focus on Senior HR positions, and with Acre; an international executive search firm focused on Senior Sustainability professionals.
Karen holds an MA in Employment Law from the University of Rotterdam.
In her free time, Karen enjoys cooking for family and friends, playing the piano, and sports (skiing, tennis, running).
Contact:
karen@apolloexecutivesearch.
Thomas specializes in Private Equity-related executive searches. His expertise in conducting comprehensive market research enables him to understand industry trends and client needs, ensuring the attraction of top-tier executive talent. Combining industry expertise with strategic insights, Thomas excels in identifying and assessing high-caliber candidates for C-level roles.
His strengths include strategic thinking, relationship-building, and industry leadership, which help connect clients with exceptional professionals who drive growth and innovation.
Before his current role, Thomas worked as a Research Consultant and AI Specialist at Odgers Berndtson, where he gained significant experience working with portfolio companies of Private Equity firms and investment professionals in the sector.
Thomas holds a BSc in Economics & Business Economics and an MSc in Economics of Markets & Organizations from Erasmus University Rotterdam. His background enables him to bring data-driven insights into executive search processes.
Thomas is based in Amsterdam and enjoys hockey, golf, cooking and learning about advancements in AI and business strategy.
Contact:
thomas@apolloexecutivesearch.com
+31616308410
Robin is an Associate Consultant at Apollo Executive Search, with prior experience as a Research Consultant. He is experienced in advising (supervisory) board members and C-level executives across both public and private sector organisations on career and leadership development.
Driven by a lifelong interest in the intersection of people, systems, and innovation, Robin brings a thoughtful and analytical approach to his work. Years of sailing at sea—both with his family and as a skipper—have shaped his adaptability, resilience,
and appreciation for teamwork. He enjoys connecting people through genuine curiosity and shared energy.
Robin holds a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology.
Contact:
robin@apolloexecutivesearch.com
+31644057576
To explore a potential partnership for a search, please contact one of our Managing Partners (Peter Zeeuw van der Laan and / or Maarten van der Kwaak)
If you are a potential candidate for one of our open positions, please visit our candidate platform below
Aside from highlighting your profile, seeing and applying to vacancies on our platform, you can reach us at info@apolloexecutivesearch.com or call our front desk at +3197010286922
Our office adress:
Jachthavenweg 109-A
1081 KM Amsterdam
or call our front desk at +3197010286922
Please respect our policy that we do not engage into conversation with candidates cold calling one of our Managing Partners if there is no prior relationship. We share our phone numbers to allow potential clients make contact and explore a potential partnership for a search.
If you are a candidate looking for contact, please sign up to our platform. As a candidate with a specific question, you can email us at info@apolloexecutivesearch.com
We have successfully partnered for CEO, COO, CFO, CCO, CMO, CTO and strategy positions at
