OTTO Work Force is the largest international employment agency in Europe, currently employing over 25,000 people and surpassing the €1 billion turnover mark by 2024. The succeeding CEO is expected to be announced in Q1, 2025.

Frank van Gool: ‘When we sold OTTO Work Force in 2018, we agreed to stay on for at least another five years. Good leadership is also about not overstaying your time. So at a certain moment in time there comes the inevitable moment when you look at yourself in the mirror and realise that it is no longer a matter of whether you leave, but when. And we believe that this is a good time’.

Karolina Swoboda: ‘Our company has continued to strengthen in recent years, not only as a result of growth in sheer numbers, but also with a view to transferring our functions. It is a well-oiled machine, with all noses pointing in the same direction and with excellent results. We are leaving with pain in our hearts, because all the people are extremely dear to us. We’re happy to remain involved in labour migration in our country through KaFra Housing.’

Karolina Swoboda was one of OTTO Work Force's first international employees and over the years held various positions within the company, including operational director of OTTO in the Netherlands. She has been vice CEO of OTTO Holding since 2022.

In addition to his efforts as CEO of OTTO Work Force, Frank van Gool has been striving for years to improve the position of migrant workers in our country. He has long advocated the reintroduction of the employment agency permit and the standardisation of housing for migrant workers.

Together with Karolina Swoboda, he founded the company KaFra Housing in 2018, which uses innovative housing concepts to provide housing to now over 5,000 international workers, asylum seekers, status holders and Ukrainian refugees.