Founding figure of HR services industry has passed away

Randstad's founder, Frits Goldschmeding, Ph.D., passed away peacefully Friday 26 July at the age of 90.

"This is a very sad day not only for Randstad but for the entire HR services industry," reacted Denis Pennel, Managing Director of the World Employment Confederation (WEC). "Frits Goldschmeding was one of the last pioneers of the agency work industry still alive. His contribution to the social acceptance and legal recognition of flexible work and HR services can be seen across the world."

Frits Goldschmeding has always been convinced of the importance for the HR services industry to come together and establish strong trade associations to defend its interests. Goldschmeding served on the board of ABU, the Dutch industry association for private employment agencies, for many years before becoming its honorary chairman. As part of this legacy, several top executives from Randstad have served WEC at the presidency level, including Annemarie Muntz, Fred van Haasteren (both former WEC President) and Sonja van Lieshout (current WEC-Europe President).

A pioneer of the agency work industry

Frits Goldschmeding founded Randstad in 1960 after writing a thesis on temporary agency work as part of his Master's Degree in Economics. He subsequently started his own agency with his friend Gerrit Daleboudt "Uitzendbureau Amstelveen", having conceived the idea while the two were cycling home. The company was renamed Randstad in 1964 after the densely populated region in the western Netherlands.

Goldschmeding held the CEO position at Randstad for 38 years, growing the company and actively lobbying to improve the staffing industry's image and strengthen the legal position of temporary employees. He joined the Supervisory Board of Randstad in 1999 and retired from that position in 2011.

Goldschmeding will be remembered for his philanthropic work as much as for his impact on the global staffing industry. In 2015 he established the Goldschmeding Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the way people work and cooperate. The Goldschmeding Foundation supports promising initiatives with demonstrable societal impact focused on a humane economy, sustainable work and an inclusive labour market.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. It is the largest global staffing firm in the world and a long-standing WEC corporate member.