Young Cooperative Members Are Tomorrow’s Leaders

In November 2025, representatives from cooperatives across the Netherlands gathered at Plantion for the National Cooperative Day. The morning began with the members’ meeting of the umbrella organisation NCR, followed by an afternoon conference in the auction hall, with breakout sessions held in smaller rooms. After the event, we spoke with NCR Managing Director Rob Donker about his view on Plantion and its role as a cooperative.

For more than ninety years, the National Cooperative Council (NCR) has supported cooperatives such as Plantion, Royal FloraHolland, Rabobank and Achmea. While its roots lie in agriculture, NCR today also represents cooperatives from sectors including energy, insurance and retail.

As Rob Donker puts it himself, he was “born among apples and pears.” During his studies at the Agricultural University of Applied Sciences, he developed a strong interest in the agricultural supply chain—from producer to consumer—with auctions playing a pivotal role. After graduating, he began his career at Rabobank.

“That’s where I gained extensive experience in governance and member councils. When I became Managing Director of NCR in 2021, everything came together perfectly.”

What is NCR's mission?

“We don't get involved in milk, flowers or plants themselves; our focus is entirely on the cooperative side of our members' businesses. In a healthy cooperative, governance is well organised, with strong management and supervision, and members' interests firmly embedded in the organisation's strategy. That requires continuous attention, because cooperatives must also adapt to change—especially in today's rapidly changing world.”

What services does NCR provide?

“We advise and support cooperatives on specific issues such as strengthening collaboration between governing bodies, implementing new governance structures, and refining their strategic direction. We also bring directors and supervisory board members together through symposiums, study tours and the National Cooperative Day. After all, cooperatives have a great deal to learn from one another.”

Is the cooperative business model still relevant today?

“I would say: more than ever. The cooperative model has always worked well in agriculture, but it has also proven highly successful in many other sectors. By joining a cooperative, you effectively extend your own business. Together, members can organise things more efficiently—from investing in machinery to creating a shared sales organisation. The idea that you achieve more by working together is just as relevant today as it has ever been.”

Do you also see challenges?

“Absolutely. We live in a world where people, organisations and countries are increasingly at odds with one another. Thinking is often framed in terms of winners and losers, and short-term interests seem to dominate.”

Rob sees opportunities precisely because of this:

“Cooperatives offer a different perspective by putting collaboration first and focusing on the long term. At the same time, they must remain alert and adapt to changing circumstances. In floriculture, for example, the number of growers continues to decline, and children are no longer automatically taking over their parents' businesses. As a cooperative, you have to evolve alongside these developments.”

What does adapting to these changes look like?

“It is important to focus on the younger generation: put them at the forefront, engage with them and ask for their perspective, rather than only listening to the members ‘in the last carriage’. Young members are the cooperative leaders of tomorrow, so investing in them is essential. Fortunately, more and more cooperatives are recognising this and taking action.”