crmLiNK

What crmLiNK does

crmLINK (legal entity crmLiNK BV) is a Netherlands-based professional services firm founded on July 1, 2018 by Carla Aalse, Renate Hoogendijk, and Mienke Schaberg, headquartered at Keizersgracht 590E, Amsterdam. The firm provides a four-pillar offering: executive and non-executive board search, governance training programs (Governance Basics, Governance Program, Toezicht in de Cultuursector, Executive Dialoogkring), board self-assessments and boardroom advisory, and executive coaching. Its explicit differentiator is a diversity-and-inclusion thesis applied to supervisory board composition and executive placement, with the founders and partner bench drawn from varied cultural and professional backgrounds.

The firm operates primarily in the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean through its LINKCaribbean franchise, covering Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Suriname. Customers span supervisory boards, non-executive boards, and C-level executives in government, healthcare, cultural institutions, education, IP/copyright collectives, housing associations, and energy companies. Cumulative track record cited by the company: 150+ successful placements, 1,000+ professionals trained, and 1,500+ organizations served.

Revenue is generated exclusively through professional services fees: placement fees for executive and non-executive search mandates (transactional per engagement), per-participant fees for open-enrollment training (€2,690-€6,990), consultancy fees for board self-assessments and advisory, and session-based fees for executive coaching. Distribution is entirely direct enterprise sales through relationship-based selling, thought leadership content (bilingual Dutch/English website, blog, LinkedIn, newsletter), alumni engagement via the LINKCircle network, and executive summits in the Caribbean. The firm holds no external institutional investment, operates with no subsidiaries, and runs no disclosed software platform; core technology is human expertise and proprietary governance methodology. CRKBO registration provides VAT-exempt training delivery and a quality-code credential.

Name

crmLiNK

Legal name

crmLiNK BV

Website

https://crmlink.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

crmLINK is a Dutch professional services firm offering executive and non-executive board search, governance training, board self-assessments, and executive coaching, with a diversity focus, serving clients across the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search: Placement of executives and non-executive board members for organizations. Process includes intake, strategy, candidate selection, assessment, presentation, matching, and post-placement follow-up. Revenue generated through successful placement fees.
2. Training & Education Programs: Open enrollment and in-company governance training programs including Governance Basics, Governance Program, Toezicht in de Cultuursector, Executive Dialoogkring, and customized programs. Revenue generated through course fees (per participant or organization).
3. Board Self-Assessment & Advisory: Guided self-assessment for supervisory and non-executive boards, including multi-year trajectories. Boardroom advisory services providing strategic advice to executives and board members. Revenue generated through consultancy fees.
4. Executive Coaching: Individual, team, and career coaching for executives and board members. Coaching trajectories typically include 6-10 sessions plus intake and closing. Revenue generated through coaching session fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

crmLiNK is a Dutch professional services firm specializing in executive and non-executive search for supervisory boards and C-level positions, governance training programs, board self-assessments, and executive coaching. The firm connects organizations with diverse leadership talent and delivers accredited governance education (PE points), emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and complementary board composition. Operations span the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean region.

Product overview

crmLiNK is a professional services firm offering a unified portfolio of executive search, governance education, and board advisory services. The core offering spans Executive Search and Non-Executive Search for placing executives and board members; a comprehensive Courses & Programs division including Governance Basics, the Leergang 'Toezicht in de Cultuursector', Governance Program, and the Executive Dialoogkring; Self-Assessment & Boardroom Advisory for board evaluations; and Executive Coaching for leadership development. The company also operates LINKCaribbean, providing specialized services across Caribbean islands. All offerings emphasize diversity, complementary perspectives, and future-ready leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LINKCaribbean: Special initiative focusing on governance services in the Caribbean region covering Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Suriname.

Products and services

• Executive Search Identifies and places executives, directors, and managers who align with organizational culture and drive lasting impact. Emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, and team dynamics in leadership placement. Targeted at organizations seeking senior executive hires.
• Non-Executive Search Places independent, strategically-minded non-executive board members (supervisory board/commissarissen) who strengthen governance through diverse perspectives and forward-thinking leadership. Targeted at supervisory boards and governance committees.
• Governance Basics Foundation program covering core principles of corporate governance for aspiring or beginning supervisory board members. Open enrollment course.
• Leergang 'Toezicht in de Cultuursector' Four-module training program specifically designed for supervisors and executives in the cultural sector, developed in partnership with Cultuur+Ondernemen. Costs €2,690 per participant, awards 20 PE points.
• Governance Program (Leergang voor Commissarissen en Toezichthouders) Six-module comprehensive program with optional Finance Basics block for professionals preparing for commissioner or supervisory roles. Costs €6,990 per participant, awards 33 PE points, CRKBO-registered (VAT-exempt).
• Executive Dialoogkring Six-month leadership development program with monthly sessions and an exclusive retreat, designed for executives seeking self-reflection and strategic counterbalance.
• Self-Assessment & Boardroom Advisory Guides supervisory and non-executive boards through self-assessments with independent perspective and understanding of boardroom dynamics. Includes multi-year trajectory options for sustainable governance development and strategic boardroom advice.
• Executive Coaching Individual and team coaching for executives focusing on deep reflection, leadership development, and professional behavior enhancement using validated behavioral assessments. Trajectories typically include 6-10 sessions plus intake and closing.
• LINKCaribbean Specialized executive search, advisory, training, and conference services for supervisory boards and C-level management across Caribbean islands including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Suriname.
• Leadership in an Unravelling World Order (Executive Summit) Two-day executive summit addressing geopolitical fragmentation and strategic positioning for leaders in the Dutch Caribbean region, with optional governance masterclass. Regular fee €1,295 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ successful placements in executive and non-executive positions since founding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BumaStemracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Development of a two-phase governance program (basic and in-depth) in collaboration with BumaStemra, the Dutch collective rights management organization for music and audiovisual producers. Also delivers in-company governance training for BumaStemra staff and leadership.
• Cultuur+OndernemencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership between crmLINK and knowledge platform Cultuur+Ondernemen for the development and delivery of the 'Leergang Toezicht in de Cultuursector' (Training Program for Supervision in the Cultural Sector). The program was developed at the request of Cultuur+Ondernemen, tailored to the needs of the arts and culture sector. Launched as a pilot in 2020 and continues as an annual program.
• VOICEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClosed governance training program of 3 modules of 2 half-days each for Cultural Broadcasting Organizations (CBOs) affiliated with VOICE. crmLINK developed and delivers this customized in-company program, rated highly by participants and Executive Director Michel Frequin.
• MediabirdsminorOthersMediabirds is credited as the website developer for crmLINK's website (crmlink.nl). Website development and digital branding partnership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boer & Croon: Boer & Croon is a Dutch executive search and interim management firm focused on senior leadership placements in the Netherlands, directly competing with crmLINK for C-level and supervisory board mandates.
• LTP (Leadership, Talent & Performance): LTP is a Dutch consultancy combining leadership development, talent management and executive assessment services, directly comparable to crmLINK's training, advisory and coaching offerings in the Netherlands.
• Amrop: Amrop is a global executive search firm with Dutch roots and a dedicated board practice covering supervisory and non-executive director placements, making it the closest direct peer to crmLINK in geography, service mix and target buyer.

Broad incumbents

• Egon Zehnder: Egon Zehnder is a global leadership advisory firm with a strong board and CEO succession practice serving Dutch enterprises and multinationals; it overlaps directly with crmLINK's executive and non-executive search mandates at a larger scale.
• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organisational consulting firm combining executive search, board services, leadership development and assessment — a broader portfolio that overlaps with crmLINK's integrated search, advisory and training offering.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Russell Reynolds Associates is a global executive search firm with a dedicated board practice that competes for senior supervisory and C-level placements at Dutch and international organisations, overlapping directly with crmLINK's mandate profile.
• Spencer Stuart: Spencer Stuart is one of the leading global board and CEO search firms, with a long-standing Amsterdam office serving Dutch supervisory boards and executives on mandates comparable to crmLINK's core offering.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a deep board practice, regularly competing for supervisory board and C-level placements in the Dutch market that crmLINK also targets.

Emerging players

• The Board Network: The Board Network is a Dutch online platform that connects organisations with experienced supervisory and non-executive directors, providing partial overlap with crmLINK's non-executive search practice via a digital marketplace model.

Regional players

• Kienbaum Consultants International: Kienbaum is a German-origin executive search and HR consultancy with Dutch operations, serving supervisory boards and senior executives across the DACH and Benelux region on mandates comparable to crmLINK's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crmlink

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 crmLiNK