in memoriam.

Frits Goldschmeding was born on 2 August 1933 in Amsterdam and studied Economics at the VU Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

After writing a thesis on temporary work as part of his Master’s Degree in Economics, Frits together with a fellow student, founded Uitzendbureau Amstelveen (later Randstad Uitzendbureau) in 1960. He held the CEO position for 38 years, growing the company and actively lobbying to improve the image of the staffing industry as well as strengthen the legal position of staffing employees. He joined the Supervisory Board of Randstad N.V. in 1999 and retired from that position in 2011. What started from a dorm room, has in over 60 years grown into the world’s largest talent company, with approx. 40,000 employees in 39 countries and annual revenue of € 25.4 billion in 2023.

Frits Goldschmeding founded Randstad with a commitment to ensuring that long term sustainability is always at the core of the company. This led to Randstad’s core values - to know, to serve, to trust, striving for perfection, and the simultaneous promotion of all interests - that continue to form the foundation of our strong, people-focused culture today. 

Frits Goldschmeding was the honorary chairman of ABU, the Dutch industry association for private employment agencies, after serving on its board for many years. In 1985 Frits Goldschmeding received the Royal Decoration Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau. At the 35th anniversary of the Randstad Group he was also appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion.

In 1994 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Rochester in recognition of the contribution Randstad had delivered to the Dutch economy and society. Because of its contribution to socioeconomic developments in Belgium, he was appointed Commander of the Order of Leopold II in 1999. In addition, he received an honorary doctorate from the Nyenrode Business University in 2006. From 2007 to 2009, he held the position of professor. J. Postma Chair for Entrepreneurship at Nyenrode Business University. 

In 2015 he established the Goldschmeding Foundation, which is a philanthropic foundation. The foundation is dedicated to improving the way people work and cooperate, believing that if we serve each other’s interests, we work together towards a better world. With its knowledge, funding and network, the Goldschmeding Foundation supports promising initiatives with demonstrable societal impact. Together we are dedicated to an inclusive labor market, sustainable ways of working and a humane economy. Working together towards a better world.