Simon den Haak Strategy & Communications specializes in Corporate Communications and Political Strategy
20 years of experience in politics and business
My professional career began in the House of Representatives as a staff member for PvdA (Labour) MPs Frank Heemskerk (healthcare and financial markets) and Kris Douma (international trade and corporate governance). In 2006, I was part of the campaign team of Wouter Bos for the national elections.
As a political advisor and spokesperson, I have worked for various Ministers and State Secretaries. In the spring of 2012, I was Diederik Samsom's campaign manager for the internal primaries for the PvdA leadership. Later that year, I was part of "Team Samsom" which helped the PvdA win 38 seats in the national elections. For the 2017 parliamentary elections, I was spokesperson and strategic advisor for PvdA Leader Lodewijk Asscher. In 2020, I served as Head of Communications for Asscher and the PvdA in Dutch Parliament.
In 2014, I founded my own consultancy specializing in corporate communications and political strategy . I serve companies, governments, and NGOs as an interim manager and strategic advisor. I also provide media training, workshops, and support organizations and executives in crisis situations.
Between January 2022 and September 2025, I was director of corporate communications and government affairs at Gasunie. Previously I was interim director of Communications and Marketing at the University of Groningen and Head of Communications at the Dutch Media Authority.
As a consultant, I have worked for PostNL, Natuurmonumenten, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, ProRail, TNO, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, technology company Uber, the PME Pension Fund, the Dutch Dairy Association, Airbnb, Uniper, BP, and several other energy companies. I enjoy contributing to the Monique Wijshoff & Vrienden courses on Leadership and Craftsmanship in the Public Domain.
From 1999 to 2004, I studied Languages & Cultures of Latin America at Leiden University, with a special focus on the socio-economic and political development of Brazil. I then completed a second research master's program at Cedla at the University of Amsterdam, where I graduated cum laude in 2006 with a thesis on the development and financing of infrastructure projects in Amazônia. During both programs, I lived for an extended period in São Paulo, Brazil. In 2006, I co-authored the book "Troublesome Construction: IIRSA and Public-Private Partnerships in Road Infrastructure" (with dr. Pitou van Dijck) about large infrastructure projects in Latin America.