Robert Simons
Vice mayor
Robert Simons is a Rotterdam Vice Mayor on behalf of the centre-right local Liveable Rotterdam party (in Dutch: Leefbaar Rotterdam). He is responsible for the Port, Economy, Hospitality and Governance (neighbourhoods).
Robert Simons got to know Rotterdam as a deep sea (chief) mate, a position in which he often visited the port of Rotterdam. He worked ashore, although still in the port, from 1995. He subsequently remained involved with shipping as the Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate’s Head of Accident Investigations. Simons has held various positions at the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management since 2011. He has worked in, among others, the maritime, rail and aviation sectors.
Simons became a volunteer for Leefbaar Rotterdam in 2004. He served as municipal councillor for that party from 2006 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2022. Simons was party chairman from 2015 to 2017. Simons was Vice Mayor for Urban Development and Integration in Rotterdam in 2017 and 2018. He was the leading candidate during the municipal elections on 16th March 2022.
'A clean and innovative economy and port, giving entrepreneurship maximum space and getting things done in the neighbourhood, close to and together with Rotterdam residents.'
Curriculum Vitae
Name: R.A.C.J. (Robert) Simons MPA, BEng
Date of birth: 5th January 1963
Place of birth: Goirle
Education/Training
- 2000-2003: Public Administration, Public Private Business, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
- 1997-1999: Industrial Engineering & Management, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam
- 1990-1991: Master Mariner merchant shipping, Higher Maritime Academy, Amsterdam
Information for press
Spokesman: Leon Stooker +31 6 423 104 86
