Kees has been working in the entertainment industry in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Great Britain since 1969. Specialised in management, digital exploitation, sales & distribution and consultancy, Kees is both a Self-made man & a team player. Throughout his career, Kees has worked for Universal Music as Executive Vice President, and Managing Director for Mercury Records, Def Jam Recordings, Interscope, Motown, Island, Verve and many others. Managing Director MCA Benelux, Universal Music Netherlands, Polydor, with artists such as INXS, Status Quo, U2, Kiss, Elton John, Dire Straits, LIVE, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, No Doubt, U2, Mary J. Blige, Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli, and Co-owner Rough Trade distribution Benelux. Caro Emerald, Kyteman, Tiësto, Wombats, Jamie Lidell labels like A&M. In 2011 the Dutch IFPI (NVPI) awarded him with the ZILVEREN FONOGRAAF for his outstanding contribution to the music industry. In 2006 Kees received a SPECIAL EDISON MUSIC AWARD for being chairman of the Edison foundation from 1994 till 2006. During this time Kees supervised the organisation of the Edison Music Awards ceremonies, for Pop Classics and Jazz. i.e. the ‘Dutch Grammy. Kees was Chairman (2013-2017) and subsequently President of IMPALA (2017-2021) and now serves as an executive board member. In 2022 Kees received the IMPALA OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD for his relentless work toward a stronger European independent music sector. He also served on the board of WIN and is President of the Dutch independent label association STOMP (Stichting Onafhankelijke Muziek Producenten in the Netherlands).

For his Westway LAB 2023 Keynote, he will be interviewed by Nuno Saraiva, President of AMAEI, the Portuguese Independent Trade Association.