B. Habets

Biography

Bert Habets, born in 1971, holds a Master of Economics and Law (fiscal) from the University of Maastricht. He joined CLT-UFA, which later became RTL Group, in 1999 in the Business Development unit. In March 2001, Bert Habets was appointed CFO of Holland Media Groep, which rebranded as RTL Nederland in August 2004. In January 2008, he was appointed CEO of RTL Nederland. Under his leadership, RTL Nederland established a clear strategy of strengthening the core business, while diversifying and innovating. Bert Habets has significantly grown RTL Nederland’s digital businesses (acquisition of the on-demand service Videoland; launch of RTL MCN; joint venture with SpotX for the Benelux and Nordic regions) while moving into other commercial areas such as RTL Ventures and RTL Live Entertainment. At the same time, he strengthened the company’s major free-TV channels and oversaw the launch of four new channels. With these varied strategic moves, he has transformed RTL Nederland from a traditional broadcaster into an all-round media and entertainment company. In 2014, Bert Habets was awarded ‘Most influential broadcast personality of the year 2013’ in the Netherlands. With effect from 19 April 2017, Bert Habets assumed the role of Co-CEO of RTL Group and was elected in RTL Group’s Board of Directors as Executive Director. Moreover, he continued to be CEO of RTL Nederland till 30 June 2017.   In his capacity as Co-CEO of RTL Group he is responsible for FremantleMedia and for the Group’s broadcasting activities in the Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia. Together with Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch, he is jointly responsible for the Group’s global digital businesses, SpotX, BBTV and StyleHaul, and for Group Strategy, Business Development, Corporate Communications & Marketing, European Affairs, Audit & Compliance and – together with the CFO – for Group HR.

Research Interest

Strategy, Management,Mergers & Acquisitions, Marketing Strategy, Business Development