5 September, 2025
As of 1 September, our director Remko Kleij has started work as cluster director at Smizer. Our management team will take over his role.
As of 1 September, Remko started work as cluster director at Smizer, the group of MSP companies that IT Local has been part of since the end of last year. Within Smizer, Remko is responsible for several MSP companies in the cluster. As IT Local also falls within his cluster, he remains closely involved in our organisation.
The daily management of IT Local is now in the hands of our management team: Hanny van Vugt (commercial director), Pierre Struijk (operations director) and Janique Moelee (business office manager). Maarten Koolen (business unit manager) is responsible for Clevir.
Jappe Help, until recently also part of our MT, also moves to Smizer and, as business improvement manager, will help the companies in Remko's cluster improve their organisation. So Jappe will also remain involved with IT Local.
Remko on the switch
This news requires further explanation. Therefore, Remko is happy to answer a few questions:
Was it time for a next step?
"I formed a mature MT at IT Local at an early stage. That was necessary for the steps we wanted to take with IT Local and Clevir. You then have to ensure a cohesive team that carefully coaches people through the transition. Within the Smizer group, we want more inter-company cooperation. This will require more intensive collaboration. Due to Smizer's rapid growth, we noticed that this was becoming increasingly difficult. Hence, the Smizer companies are going to cluster. Here lay a great opportunity for me personally. It was immediately clear to us that the MT of IT Local and Clevir is now professional enough to hand over both companies with confidence. It is incredibly cool to see that the people with whom you have spent years building two companies are now showing leadership themselves. That also fits exactly into Smizer's human ambition."
Within Smizer, you will work closely with Jappe?
"Yes! Jappe has had a successful role within IT Local. He has had a great journey over the past 17 years. It is an interesting challenge for him to take a look at the kitchen of other companies as well. He will also remain involved with IT Local and Clevir in the role of business improvement manager. I am of course very happy to have his expertise at my side, someone I can really lean on operationally. On top of that, he is also a very pleasant colleague!"
You have been at IT Local for almost five years. What do you look back on most with satisfaction?
"In the beginning, it was an exciting time for IT Local. We had to make choices, but always looking ahead. We wanted to become a cool company. From my first day, I included people in the journey we would take and the steps we needed to take. The enthusiasm, commitment, mentality and, above all, sociability has been really great. I really look back on that with pride. IT Local is truly a team."
Will you leave IT Local in peace of mind?
"Short and sweet: a big yes! Janique, Hanny, Maarten and Pierre have the same core values as me: fun and efficiency with people at the centre. Especially also in that order. Let's have a lot of fun together and do great projects. The results will come naturally. I have every confidence in it, but I will secretly keep watching a bit ๐"
To what extent is IT Local's direction changing?
"The direction will not change. IT Local and Clevir will continue to professionalise and innovate. We will continue to do so (I say we, because it still feels a bit like that) with the People, Process & Technology framework. IT is about people and not technology, that remains the vision."
You will still remain closely involved with IT Local. What does that mean in concrete terms?
"From the Smizer group, I manage the MT of IT Local and Clevir. Together, we look at progress and spar about new projects. This will be more from a strategic role rather than an operational role."
Finally, would you like to say anything else?
"When I let the last few years slowly pass through my mind, my head overflows with beautiful moments I experienced with the people of IT Local and Clevir. A real adventure where we created and celebrated successes together. I am also very grateful for the collaboration with Piet van Vugt. He has inspired and motivated me a lot."