Bernard Kobes passed away

On January 20, 2025, Bernard Kobes passed away. Since late 2019, Bernard had served as CEO and Chairman of the Board at BumaStemra.

Before joining BumaStemra, Bernard had a distinguished career in the media industry, holding senior executive roles at NOB Registratie, DutchView, Technicolor NL, and Ericsson Broadcast Services NL. He also made significant contributions in the public sector, working as interim channel manager at NPO Radio 6 and as director/board member at NLPO. In 2017, Bernard co-founded Media Adviseurs Nederland with a business partner.

In addition to his leadership roles, Bernard was a passionate musician. As a trombonist, he played in the Ceresband, with whom he recently recorded music in the studio of BumaStemra member Arnold Mühren. The royal honor Bernard recently received was dedicated to all the behind-the-scenes professionals in both the television and music industries.

We are deeply grateful for Bernard’s work, his collegiality, and his unwavering dedication to music and the members of BumaStemra.

Bernard had been ill since the summer of 2023. Since November of that year, Marcel Gelauff has been serving as interim CEO.