ACM appoints Sander van Wesemael as Director of ACM’s Policy and Communications Department

On March 1, 2026, Sander van Wesemael will become Director of the Policy and Communications Department of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). He oversees strategic management of a department that is committed to fulfilling ACM’s mission of ensuring that markets work well for people and businesses, now and in the future.

Together with the Board and his fellow directors, he focuses on ACM’s course of being a mission-driven, authoritative, and future-ready regulator. He does so by, among other activities, engaging in a dialog with citizens, businesses, and civil-society organizations, and by giving the Board and departments advice on relevant social developments. Mr. Van Wesemael is also responsible for ensuring the progress of ACM’s key priorities: contributing to a safe and honest digital economy, accelerating the energy transition and sustainability transition, and promoting innovation and resilience.

Mr. Van Wesemael has been the acting director of ACM’s Policy and Communications Departmentsince January 2025. Previously, he served as Strategy & Planning manager in ACM’s Energy Department. He held various managerial positions at the Dutch central bank DNB and worked at the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). He studied Communication Sciences at the University of Amsterdam.

Martijn Snoep, Chairman of the Board of ACM, adds: “We as Board members are very pleased with the appointment of Sander. Many changes are taking place in the outside world, new situations to which we must continuously adapt. Having a good strategy offers scope for striking a balance between staying the course and responding to structural changes. As acting director, Sander has demonstrated that he’s perfectly capable of charting and following a course.”

Mr. Wesemael adds: “ACM’s mission is aimed at contributing as much as possible to the broad level of prosperity in the Netherlands. By ensuring that markets work well, we as regulator contribute to affordability, quality, and innovation, and we help people and businesses. ACM’s Policy and Communications Department plays a key role in charting and maintaining that course, as well as in telling the story of ACM’s oversight. Together with my wonderful and professional colleagues, I’m absolutely dedicated to helping fulfill that mission.”

This appointment to an ABD position was made through a procedure offered by the Dutch Directorate-General of the Senior Civil Service (DGABD). DGABD carried out the recruitment for this appointment, and it assisted ACM in the selection process. As is standard for these positions, the job posting was widely published, although the organization already had a suitable candidate in mind, as stated in the job description. After a careful selection process, this candidate was ultimately chosen.