Mr Thijs Stoffer
Thijs Stoffer is a Dutch National who lives in Kandersteg, Switzerland. With a background in strategic communications, political science and international relations, he has over 30 years of successful management experience in leadership positions in national and international businesses, industries and not-for-profit organisations operating in various national and multicultural environments.
Thijs started his professional career working for the Dutch professional real estate association for many years, managing its strategic (government) communications, public affairs, and international business alliances. He then branched into the development of professional bodies in the European Union for brokerage, evaluation and property management.
Became a member of the World Baden-Powell Fellowship in 1996 and joined the WSF Board in 2023.
In the Netherlands, he previously worked as director of marketing and member of the management team of the world’s largest flower and horticulture auction industry for several years.
Thijs is also an entrepreneur, and successfully developed his own business as a managing partner and owner of two consultancy firms — the first in the Netherlands, and later a second firm in Europe — working on numerous international and cross–continent information technology, eCommerce, and web-based projects and assignments in the real estate and technology industries.
From 2008 to 2018 he was the CEO of ICREA (International Consortium of Real Estate Associations), a Chicago-based consortium which groups professional property associations and practitioners in 45 countries, dealing with 4 million properties on the market each day.
Thijs currently works as an independent consultant to property and technology-related companies and organisations, mainly in Europe, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, and the Gulf countries, supporting the strategic and business development of companies wishing to penetrate international markets. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and meetings.
Thijs also has a long track record in Scouting. He has held various positions in Scouting Nederland, including as International Commissioner and Member of the National Board. He was elected as a Member of the European Scout Committee in 1991, serving six years, the latter three as its Chair. He is a passionate supporter of Kandersteg International Scout Centre, the World Scout Centre, where he served 16 years as Chair of the Board. He is currently a member of the KISC Foundation.
A BP Fellow since 1996, Thijs joined the Honours Programme in 2000 and is presently a Member of the International Circle. He has supported the Foundation in numerous volunteer roles to date, including as a Member of the Strategy Task Force and as the Co-Chair of the BP Fellow Fundraising Committee, a Sub-Committee of the Board. He is also a Board Member of the Swiss Chapter.