Elections Accountability Body

Information about VHP2
VHP2 has been the union representing the interests of professionals in the high-tech sector for over 60 years. We are committed to both the collective and individual interests of our members. We do this with a professional agency and experienced lawyers. We advise and answer questions about employment conditions, reorganisations, careers, career changes and pensions. VHP2 is affiliated with the VCP trade union federation and therefore has influence in important consultation bodies such as the SER and the Stichting van de Arbeid. We are involved in collective labour agreement negotiations, social plans and sit at the table where the course is determined that influences the future of our members.

VHP2 is active in co-determination and management structures, including the Accountability Body of Philips Pensioenfonds. Because not only working professionals, but also holders of a paid-up policy and pension recipients want influence on their pension. With our participation in the election of a new and stand-in member for the Accountability Body of Philips, we ensure that the active VHP2 pension participant is also heard.

The following text was provided by the candidate himself. Philips Pensioenfonds is not responsible for the content of this text. 

Michael van Hartskamp (53), with Philips since 1999, currently working for the Responsible AI Office at I&S 

"For many working people, retirement seems a long way off. Even so, every month a chunk of your income is set aside so that you have a pension when you retire, and Philips Pensioenfonds manages all those billions of euros. Together with Huon, it has been my privilege during the past term to represent the pension fund’s active members on the Accountability Body. Our duties include reviewing the Board’s policies and advising on the switch to the new pension plan. Issues that we have highlighted include the position of colleagues at Philips, Signify and Versuni who are made redundant and the position of the younger generation of active members. 

 I would love to extend my role on the Accountability Body for a second term. We will all contribute large sums of money into the collectively investments, before the assets are divided into “individual savings”. We have been helping with the preparations for this. It is important to stay on top of these developments. 

 With our first term behind us, and with the support of VHP2, Huon and I know what we need to look out for. We will use that knowledge moving forward to draw attention to the various interests of the active members."

The following text was provided by the candidate himself. Philips Pensioenfonds is not responsible for the content of this text. 

Huon van de Laarschot (46), Intellectual Property Manager at Signify since September 2012 

 “My work for VHP2 has helped me to understand that an employee’s pension plan is one of the most important employment benefits. During our four years on the Accountability Body, Michael and I have been closely involved in the preparations for the switch to the new pension system. The decisions that are made have a huge impact on everyone at Signify, Philips and Versuni: not only current employees, but also former employees and retired employees, and the people that they leave behind when they die. The focus for the years ahead will be on how we give shape to this switch, to make sure that everything proceeds smoothly, that the communications are clear, and that the investment policy is adapted to reflect the new situation. I would love to represent the active members on the Accountability Body for another four years and continue to help review the policies that have been adopted and the decisions for future policies. Together, we can make sure that everyone has a proper pension.” 

The following text was provided by the candidate himself. Philips Pensioenfonds is not responsible for the content of this text.

Henk Schepers (58) has been working at Philips since 1994, now as Security Officer

"If you are following the Dutch news, you will have noticed that the pension system is changing substantially. The outlines are clear, but now it comes to the dots-on-the-i, now everybody has to make his personal choices. Recently, concern has also arisen about the investment policy of pension funds: Should a fund be politically activistic? Should it increase the risk level by excluding companies or entire sectors?

Complicated matter! Then you can shrug your shoulders, but this opening also offers the opportunity to put my shoulder to the wheel. An experienced investor myself, with quite some miles in administration, I have opted to do so on an individual basis and not via one of the trade unions. Because I do not want to represent just one constituency and to keep my perspective as open and broad as possible.

I am Henk Schepers. I turned 58 last month. Married to Hetty and father of Wouter and Bart. Wouter is leaving the parental nest next month! In 31 years at Philips, I have held a number of fascinating and divers positions with various businesses. Currently I am as Security Officer responsible for the cyber resiliency of the Picture Archiving and Communicating Systems (PACSes) as in function at our customers."