Retiring Anthos president Henk Westerhof receives Emanuel Sweerts Award

Pictured left to right are Henk Westerhof and Mark-Jan Terwindt.

Henk Westerhof has been presented with the Emanuel Sweerts Award, marking his 39 years with Royal Anthos, the Dutch horticulture trade body for nursery stock and flower bulbs.

Westerhof joined Royal Anthos in 1984, holding various management positions inside the organisation: secretary, managing director and President.

Westerhof provided leadership for Anthos’ efforts in promotion, sustainability, plant health, market access, and market entry.

Westerhof was highly visible in the bulb industry and the ornamental horticulture industry at large.

He deserves credit for helping develop Royal Anthos into a service-oriented and financially healthy trade organisation that maintains a strong political voice.

On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, a group of industry professionals, friends and family attended a farewell party at Keukenhof where Anthos’newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Mark Jan Terwindt presented Westerhof with the prestigious accolade.

In its 33rd year, the Emanuel Sweert Award is named after Emanuel Sweerts (1552–1612), who is primarily recognised as the first exporter of bulbs, seeds and plants.

The Award, a bronze sculpture by the late Dutch artist Kees Verkade (who in 1983 created a bronze statue of Princess Grace of Monaco), has only been awarded six times. The last time was in 2017 when the Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/APHIS) took the award home.

↑ Back to top