Hans Anders Retail Group strengthens management team with two new members

Hidde van der Louw is our new Group Director for Marketing & Digital, while Sandra Teiwes has been appointed International HR Director

The Hans Anders Retail Group has made two new appointments to the management team. Hidde van der Louw (48) has been appointed as Group Director for Marketing & Digital, while Sandra Teiwes (43) will be responsible for the international HR department. With this expansion, the Dutch market leader for glasses, hearing aids and contact lenses wants to expand its digital lead and shape its HR policy in a way that is appropriate for its size and European growth ambitions.

International careers in retail industry

Van der Louw comes from the A.S.Adventure Group where he played a double role. As CDO, he was responsible for the group while also working as their marketing and omnichannel director responsible for the Dutch outdoor retail chain, Bever. As CDMO of the Hans Anders Retail Group, Van der Louw will be responsible for expanding the retail chain’s successful omnichannel strategy. Teiwes was previously the Benelux HR manager for Holland and Barrett. As the International HR Director for the Hans Anders Retail Group, she will be responsible for establishing a future-proof and strategic HR policy.

European growth strategy

The appointment of Teiwes and Van der Louw is an important part of the European growth strategy, says Hans Anders Chief Executive Officer, Bart van den Nieuwenhof. “Hans Anders has a fantastic foundation and, given our growth ambitions, it is the right time to bring Sandra and Hidde onto the management team. Both have the ideal background to accelerate Hans Anders’ digital transformation even more. Their international experience fits our strategy to create an environment for both our employees and customers to receive the attention and service they deserve.”

“The physical world and web aren’t separate, they strengthen each other”

Van der Louw about his appointment: “The Hans Anders Retail Group is all about growth and expansion, and they have the ambition to add to the 700 branches in Europe they currently have. In order to keep up with that growth, I will equip an organisation for the complexity that comes with an omnichannel business. Rather than focusing on a specific channel, this strategy puts the customer perspective first. The physical world and web aren’t separate, they strengthen each other. Assuring proper alignment between the two is where strength can be found. It is my job and honour to ensure the company continues to excel in this area.”

Above average attention to growth and developmentTeiwes: “From the first meeting, I got the feeling that the Hans Anders Retail Group is a no-nonsense organisation. Simple, in the most positive sense of the word, paying attention to employees, with the ambition to pay even more attention to the growth and development of employees than they already do. The Hans Anders chain in the Netherlands and Belgium is a wonderful company in which everyone can develop and, above all, learn the optician’s profession in a relatively short time at the Hans Anders College. I look forward to collecting and sharing all those wonderful stories.”