Frank de Grave
Frank de Grave | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1955 Netherlands |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Politician affiliated with People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD); Extraordinary Member of the Council of State since 2018; former Minister of Defence |
Franciscus Hendrikus Gerardus "Frank" de Grave (born 27 June 1955) is a Dutch entrepreneur and politician affiliated with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Since 3 September 2018, he has held the position of Extraordinary Member of the Council of State.
De Grave pursued legal studies at the University of Groningen, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1975, followed by a Master of Laws in 1979. Between 1979 and 1980, he fulfilled his military service as a conscripted Lance corporal in the Royal Netherlands Army. Early on, he led the Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy (JOVD) from 1978 to 1980 and worked as a political advisor for the VVD until 1982. That same year, he briefly held a seat on the Municipal Council of Amsterdam.
In 1982, De Grave secured election to the House of Representatives, from which he stepped down in 1990 to assume the role of Alderman in Amsterdam. He served as acting Mayor of Amsterdam between January and June 1994. His appointment as State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment came in July 1996 during the Kok I cabinet. Returning to the House in May 1998, he was soon appointed Minister of Defence in August 1998 under the Kok II cabinet. Following the NIOD report on the Srebrenica massacre, the cabinet resigned in April 2002 but continued in a caretaker capacity. De Grave rejoined the House in May 2002 as finance spokesperson but was not included in the subsequent cabinet after that year’s election.
In April 2004, De Grave departed from parliament to become chairman of the board at the Dutch Healthcare Authority (previously known as Council for Healthcare Supervision), a position he maintained until December 2008. He then transitioned into roles within both private enterprises and public institutions, holding board memberships at organizations such as DSB Bank, DSM, along with nonprofit entities including Natura Artis Magistra and the Heart Foundation. Additionally, he participated in advisory committees for government-affiliated bodies like SEO Economic Research and the Social and Economic Council. Beginning November 2010, he led trade associations representing Medical Specialists and Public Libraries.
In June 2011, De Grave was elected to the Senate, where he chaired the parliamentary finance committee and acted as spokesperson on matters including economic affairs, privatization, and organ transplantation. Upon his appointment to the Council of State in September 2018, he resigned his Senate seat.
Decorations
| Ribbon bar | Honour | Country | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold II | Belgium | 18 February 2000 | ||
| Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau | Netherlands | 10 December 2002 |