Stakeholder management is an indispensable element of good governance. In an age when organisations are under heightened scrutiny, it is crucial to timely recognise, thoroughly understand and carefully consider the interests of various stakeholders, including employees, creditors, clients, users, public authorities and society.
The revised Dutch Corporate Governance Code (2025) emphasises that companies should consider broader public interests. It states that management and supervisory boards should explicitly aim to create sustainable value, focusing on financial performance as well as social impact. This calls for a governance and supervision approach that, in addition to financial performance, incorporates sustainability, transparency, corporate social responsibility and operational context.
Active stakeholder management is key in preserving and strengthening overall support and enhancing organisational legitimacy. It extends beyond preferred practices – it is a strategic tool to ensure responsible and future-oriented governance. For this reason, it is important for directors to actively steer stakeholder management at boardroom level as an integral part of sound governance policy.
Houthoff supports management and supervisory boards in setting up effective governance that integrates stakeholder management.
