Van der Hilst Communicatie

What Van der Hilst Communicatie does

Van der Hilst Communicatie is a privately held Dutch professional training and development company founded in 1974 by Henk van der Hilst and headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands. The company specializes in training, coaching, development assessments, and consulting services for communication professionals, with a portfolio of more than 25 structured programs and courses covering a progressive learning ladder from foundational (Basisopleiding A) through professional (B), senior (C), and executive (D) levels, plus specialized tracks in crisis communication, advisory skills, media spokesperson training, internal communication, government communication tools, and writing. Delivery is human-led by a curated network of more than 100 external practitioners, supported by a small core team of permanent employees in the 11-50 range.

The business operates through two direct sales channels: open enrollment for individual communication professionals attending scheduled programs, and incompany (B2B) tailored programs for teams and organizations, with a separate service line for AI inspiration sessions targeting organizational clients. Revenue is generated primarily through professional services fees and recurring cohort-based open-enrollment tuition; pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through a contact team. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, anchored by a free 30-minute 'ontwikkeladvies' development advisory consultation that serves as the funnel entry point, supplemented by content marketing (knowledge bank, podcast, newsletter, trainer-led social media) and earned media from trainer appearances.

Van der Hilst is CRKBO and CEDEO certified, deeply integrated with Logeion (the Dutch professional association for communication professionals), and counts 10,000+ professionals and organizations trained since 1974, with prominent government clients including ministries, municipalities, police, and defense, alongside private-sector clients in healthcare, transport, financial services, and education. The company has remained in independent, professional ownership throughout its history, with no external venture or private equity investment.

Name

Van der Hilst Communicatie

Legal name

Van der Hilst Communicatie

Website

https://hilst.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Van der Hilst Communicatie is a Dutch private communication training company founded in 1974 and based in Amersfoort, serving individual communication professionals and government and private organizations through a structured A-to-D curriculum, specialized courses, coaching, and tailored incompany programs across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amersfoort

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Programs: Revenue generated from open-enrollment training programs for individual communication professionals, including multi-session courses, single-day workshops, and coaching. Programs are offered at various levels (A, B, C, D) and topics (crisis communication, advisory skills, AI, internal communication, etc.).
2. Incompany Training Programs: Customized training and development programs delivered on-site at client organizations (teams, departments, or entire organizations). Tailored to the specific needs and context of the client.
3. Coaching Services: Individual coaching engagements for personal or professional development questions, priced and delivered 'in overleg' (by arrangement).
4. AI Inspiration Sessions: Customized inspiration sessions on AI trends for communication teams, delivered as a separate service offering with pricing tailored to client needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Van der Hilst Communicatie is a Dutch professional training and development firm founded in 1974 that delivers a structured learning ladder of educational programs (levels A through D) plus specialized training courses for communication professionals. Offerings span foundational communication skills, senior and executive-level opleidingen, and topic-specific trainings covering crisis communication, advisory skills, AI in communication, media spokesperson training, internal communication, writing, and government communication tools. Services are sold through open enrollment for individual professionals and customized incompany (on-site) trajectories for teams and organizations.

Product overview

Van der Hilst Communicatie is a Dutch communication professional training and development organization founded in 1974. The company offers a structured portfolio of educational programs and training courses organized in four progressive levels (A, B, C, D) leading from foundational communication skills to executive-level competency, along with specialized standalone training courses covering crisis communication, advisory skills, media spokesperson training, internal communication, AI in communication, and writing skills. The core offerings include the A-D educational track (Basisopleiding Communicatie through Executive Communicatieprofessional), specialized opleidingen (Senior Woordvoerder, Innovatie in Communicatie), topic-specific training courses, coaching services, career development advisory, and customized incompany programs. The company also provides a knowledge bank with blogs and podcasts. The organization operates a network of over 100 specialists including trainers, coaches, mentors, and instructors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Basisopleiding Communicatie Van der Hilst A
• Communicatieprofessional Opleiding Van der Hilst B
• Senior Communicatieprofessional Opleiding Van der Hilst C Advanced 13-session program strengthening analytical, strategic, and professional skills for senior-level communication professionals.
• Executive Communicatieprofessional Opleiding Van der Hilst D Executive-level 13-session program developing professionals as the connecting factor between the workplace and the executive boardroom.
• Opleiding Senior Woordvoerder Advanced 11-session program for developing senior spokespersons by learning from experienced professionals.
• Innovatie in Communicatie Opleiding Eight-session program for ambitious communication professionals seeking to lead and remain leaders in communication innovation.
• Training Crisiscommunicatie en Reputatie Four-session training on crisis communication and reputation management fundamentals.
• Training Adviesvaardigheden Niveau 1 Entry-level two-session training on developing the advisory role with confidence.
• Training Adviesvaardigheden Niveau 2 Intermediate four-session training for becoming a more convincing advisor.
• Training Adviesvaardigheden Niveau 3 Advanced four-session training for advising at the highest executive level.
• Basisopleiding Woordvoering Six-session foundational spokesperson skills training.
• Training AI voor Communicatieprofessionals Two-session training on developing vision, strategy, and concepts using AI as a sparring partner.
• Training Overheidscommunicatie Tools Four-session training on effectively using CASI, Factor C, and Dilemmalogica tools for government communication.
• Training Scherp schrijven met AI: jij bepaalt, AI helpt One-day foundational training for producing strong texts and working smartly with AI methods.
• Training Creatief schrijven met AI Three-session training on combining writing techniques and AI to enhance creativity.
• Training Interne Communicatie Two-session training working with the Internal Communication Canvas with expert Huib Koeleman.
• Training Interne Communicatie bij Verandering Three-session training on successfully setting up internal communication during organizational change.
• Training In positie komen als strategisch adviseur Dynamic one-session training with Wil Michels on positioning as a strategic advisor.
• Training Creatief denken en doen in communicatie One-session training developing and strengthening creative ability in communication with Wil Michels.
• Training Actief en effectief in mediacontacten Two-session training to increase confidence in media contacts.
• Coaching Targeted one-on-one attention from a coach for individual professional development questions, scheduled by mutual agreement.
• Ontwikkeladvies (Career Development Advisory) Free 30-minute advisory conversations with development advisors to help communication professionals identify career ambitions and next steps.
• Incompany Trajecten Customized organizational development programs designed and delivered for specific teams or organizations, including team development and organizational-level interventions.
• AI Inspiration Sessions Customized inspiration sessions on AI trends for communication teams, delivered as a separate service line for organizational clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ professionals, departments, and organizations professionally developed since 1974

Named customers20 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Orange OttersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrange Otters is a specialized internal communication consultancy. Lisa Kortekaas, senior communication advisor at Orange Otters, serves as a guest lecturer in the Communicatieprofessional B opleiding at Van der Hilst, sharing expertise on internal communication topics.
• The New EdgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe New Edge is a crisis management consultancy. Maartje Snellen, partner at The New Edge, serves as a trainer in the crashcourse Crisiscommunicatie en Reputatie, contributing practical crisis management expertise to the program.
• Compaijen C&CminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompaijen C&C is a crisis communication and crisis management consultancy owned by Tom Compaijen. Tom serves as a trainer in Van der Hilst's crisis communication program and has developed the 'Klaar voor elke Crisis' method. The company also developed FirstRing, an AI-powered crisis response platform.
• LogeioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogeion is the Dutch professional association for communication professionals. Folkert Reith, former program director of Logeion, now works with Van der Hilst. Several Van der Hilst trainers are active in Logeion trend teams and committees. The relationship is bidirectional: Logeion provides professional community access and Van der Hilst contributes content and expertise.
• Superscript (Liesbeth Dohmen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiesbeth Dohmen is owner of Superscript and a writing trainer at Van der Hilst. She teaches creative writing in the B-opleiding and has written guest blogs for Van der Hilst's knowledge bank that are also published on her own website.
• Handson PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandson Partners is an issue and crisis management consultancy. Onno Houtschild, partner at Handson Partners, serves as a trainer in Van der Hilst's crashcourse Crisiscommunicatie en Reputatie, contributing his expertise from corporate communications and crisis situations.
• BM Corporate Affairs & CrisisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarbara Mulder is partner at BM Corporate Affairs & Crisis and serves as a trainer in Van der Hilst's crisis communication program, bringing strategic corporate affairs and crisis communication expertise.
• De Maatschap voor CommunicatieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Maatschap voor Communicatie is a communication consultancy. Roderick Gielis works as manager at De Maatschap and serves as a guest lecturer in the Communicatieprofessional B opleiding.
• De Omgevingsanalist (Skye van Gooswilligen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Omgevingsanalist, owned by Skye van Gooswilligen (known as 'Miss Omgevingsanalyse'), is an environmental analysis consultancy. Skye serves as a guest lecturer in the Communicatieprofessional B opleiding, contributing her expertise in environmental analysis for communication.
• Equinox - Plek voor verandering (Gert Slob-van den Akker)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquinox is a change management consultancy. Gert Slob-van den Akker, organizational psychologist and owner, serves as a guest lecturer in the Innovatie in Communicatie opleiding on topics of organizational culture, leadership, and change.
• Buro LISA (Lisa Holdijk)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuro LISA is the consultancy of Lisa Holdijk, who is both a docent/schrijftrainer at Van der Hilst and the owner of her own communication consultancy. She teaches writing and crisis communication skills and contributes content to the knowledge bank.
• Pieters Training (Pieter de Jager)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPieters Training is owned by Pieter de Jager, who serves as both trainer and training actor in Van der Hilst's Adviesvaardigheden programs, providing experiential learning through role-play and interactive exercises.
• Bureau Borre (Borre Benjamins)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBureau Borre is the consultancy of Borre Benjamins, who serves as a mentor and docent in the Communicatieprofessional B opleiding and also works as a strategic advisor for the municipality of Den Haag.
• Van Luyken CommunicatieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVan Luyken Communicatie is a strategic communication consultancy. Inge Meilink, Director at Van Luyken, serves as a mentor in the Basisopleiding Woordvoering and the opleiding Senior Woordvoerder, and contributes to crisis communication programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Schouten & Nelissen: One of the largest Dutch training and coaching organisations, offering professional development programs for individuals and incompany engagements — directly comparable to Van der Hilst's individual + incompany dual-channel model, though broader in scope beyond communication.
• SRM (School voor Reclame, Marketing & Communicatie): Dutch vocational school focused on marketing, advertising and communication, offering both short courses and longer opleidingen. Comparable because it serves the same communication professional audience with cohort-based programs in the Netherlands.
• Beeckestijn Business School: Dutch business school offering professional education programs in marketing, communication and digital — directly comparable as a Netherlands-based provider of post-HBO communication and marketing opleidingen for working professionals.
• ISBW Opleidingen: Dutch training provider focused on short professional courses and opleidingen for working professionals, including communication and management topics. Comparable in cohort-based, multi-session delivery to Dutch professional buyers.
• Computrain: Dutch training provider within the Visma ecosystem offering both open-enrollment and incompany professional training in business, IT and project management. Comparable dual-channel model targeting the same Dutch professional training buyer, though with a different topical focus.

Others

• Logeion: Dutch professional association for communication professionals. Not a direct competitor but a closely linked ecosystem player — Van der Hilst's Folkert Reith is a former program director, and several trainers are active in Logeion committees. Adjacent rather than competing.

Regional players

• Vlaamse Vereniging voor Communicatie (VVC) training programs: Belgian Flemish professional association offering training and development for communication professionals in Belgium. Thematically comparable to Van der Hilst's Logeion-aligned offering but operating in a different language/geographic market.
• Hogeschool van Amsterdam / Communicatie opleidingen: Dutch hogeschool offering professional and continuing education tracks in communication. Comparable because it serves working professionals seeking communication credentials in the Netherlands, but operates in a more academic/HBO setting rather than practitioner-led short courses.

Broad incumbents

• NCOI Opleidingen: Largest Dutch professional education provider, offering a wide catalog of HBO- and MBO-level opleidingen and training including communication-related tracks. A much larger incumbent that competes for the same Dutch professional training wallet but across many disciplines.

Emerging players

• Tafelberg (overLeven in Communicatie): Smaller Dutch training and coaching firm focused on communication professionals and team development. Comparable in practitioner-led philosophy and incompany focus, but smaller in scale and product breadth than Van der Hilst.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vanderhilst

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Van der Hilst Communicatie