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The Path to Brutal Honesty Starts with Us

Brutal honesty is at our core because people only succeed when the context is right. Getting there means clients and candidates must be brutally honest about who they really are.

Beyond (interim) placements, we provide support and coaching at every step of the selection and onboarding process, ensuring seamless integration and long-term success.

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Our Mission

We help organizations find leaders who truly fit by championing brutal honesty in executive hiring.
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Our Vision

To shape sustainably successful leadership teams with leaders who truly align, guided by brutal honesty, ongoing coaching, and strong partnerships.

Our Beliefs

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Be Real

Authenticity is key: Embrace your true self, present your unpolished image, and create space for vulnerability and growth.

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Integrity First

Honesty above all: Speak the truth with courage and take responsibility for the impact of your words, fostering trust, inclusion and respect.

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Grow Together

Growth occurs when leaders and teams face their realities. We empower clients and candidates to show their true selves, fostering lasting connections.

Our Team

At & The Big Fish, our team is committed to driving exceptional results.

We work as a respectful, honest, and inclusive partner, always putting your goals at the forefront.

 

With deep industry knowledge, proven expertise, and years of experience, we're here to help you achieve your objectives.

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Jurriaan leverages his extensive HR experience to ensure leaders align with a company’s true culture and DNA. Having witnessed the ripple effects of leadership changes, he’s committed to preventing mismatches that derail success by fostering open, realistic expectations for both candidates and companies.

Jurriaan Graaff

Founding Partner

+31 (6) 10 27 25 99

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Ben, former owner of Newpeople, has built his career by defying convention and embracing brutal honesty to deliver real results—driven by a relentless commitment to building impactful, future-proof leadership teams that go beyond the superficial.

Ben Holewijn

Founding Partner

 +31 (6) 54 23 32 12

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Albert combines a background in Aerospace Engineering, M&A, and corporate leadership with a drive to disrupt executive search—bringing a fresh, strategic, and brutally honest approach to headhunting that goes beyond filling roles to shaping future-focused leadership teams.​

Albert de Waard

Founding Partner

+31 (6) 23 93 52 83

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Celeste embodies openness, directness, and a touch of brutally honest charm. "Interim is her middle name”, drawing on 17+ years of interim management experience in coaching large commercial teams through transformation and change. A natural connector, she thrives on bringing people together.

Celeste Duyts

Founding Partner

+31 (6) 20 58 25 09

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Dries Steinmeijer specializes in executive search and leadership development, connecting leaders with organizations where they can thrive. With a focus on aligning leadership with culture, he ensures authentic matches and fosters collaboration through transparent, realistic expectations.

Dries Steinmeijer

Associate Partner

+31 (6) 55 88 30 00

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Are you ready to challenge the status quo in executive hiring? At & The Big Fish, we believe in brutal honesty, real connections, and lasting impact. As an Associate Partner, you’ll work with ambitious clients and exceptional leaders, helping to build leadership teams that truly fit. Will your photo be here next? Let’s talk!

Vacancy

Associate Partner

We’re expanding our team of partners in The Netherlands,

and eventually across Europe.

 

Experienced leaders who share our vision of brutal honesty, are welcome to join us!

Our Posts

Address

Prinsengracht 677

1017 JT Amsterdam

Call Us

+31 (0)6 10 27 25 99

Email Us

Let's Connect

Legal documentation

© 2025 & The Big Fish Executive Hiring B.V. | KvK 867440776 | BTW 123456789

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