All Bell ceremonies

Chinese Entrepreneurs Society Amsterdam celebrates Chinese New Year

By visiting Euronext Amsterdam the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society Amsterdam celebrates the Chinese New Year. February 19, 2015 marks the beginning of the Chinese year of the Goat. The goat in the Chinese Zodiac predicts an easy and prosperous life without significant problems. It is also an excellent year to strengthen old friendships and start new ones.

It is a long standing tradition that the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society of Amsterdam organises the New Years’ celebrations in China Town in Amsterdam, including the colourful lion-dance and fireworks. The lion will dance from the Temple across China Town to the Nieuwmarkt and back. Secretary General at the Chinese Entrepreneurs Society Amsterdam, John Lie, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.chineseondernemers.nl

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CEO ARCADIS Europe Erik Blokhuis opens trading for ‘Sustainable Cities Index’

Erik Blokhuis, CEO of the European branch of ARCADIS (ticker symbol; ARCAD), a global design and consultancy firm for the natural and built environment, opens trading at Euronext Amsterdam. Research by ARCADIS shows that Amsterdam and Rotterdam are highly sustainable cities, ranked respectively fourth and fifth in a global ranking.

Sustainability is of great importance, since sustainable cities offer a higher quality of life, high prosperity and lower levels of greenhouse gas emission. Worldwide, the most sustainable city is Frankfurt, followed by London and Copenhagen. The top 10 counts 7 European cities, as shown by the ‘Sustainable Cities Index’, recently published by ARCADIS.

“The Netherlands are performing well, because the Dutch have a tradition of creating qualitative living environments in small areas”, explains Blokhuis. In the city of Amsterdam, sustainability is on top of the agenda. One of the objectives is to maximize zero emission transport by 2025, by increasing the number of electrical charging outlets to four thousand. Moreover, two new cargo hubs will be created on the outskirts of the city, allowing transfer of goods. “Sustainability is an important topic for the city of Rotterdam as well. The port and city need to be more connected. We expect that thirty years from now, the population of the city centre will have doubled with a minimal environmental impact”.

For more information: www.sustainablecitiesindex.com

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Gong marks opening exhibition ‘Late Rembrandt’

On the occasion of the newly opened exhibition Late Rembrandt in the Rijksmuseum, Gregor Weber, head of Fine & Decorative Arts of the Rijksmuseum and composer of the exhibition, opens trading.

For the first time the Rijksmuseum will present a major show to Rembrandt’s late work, in Amsterdam, the city where it was created. With over a hundred pieces of art, Late Rembrandt presents a comprehensive overview of the artist's work between approximately 1651 and his death in 1669. In collaboration with the National Gallery of London, the artworks in the exhibition are on loan from leading international museums and private collections, many of which have been brought together for the first time.

The exhibition Late Rembrandt has been made possible by sponsors Philips and KPN, partners ING and Blockbusterfonds and benefactors Ammodo, Gieskes-Strijbis Fonds, Ammodo Foundation and Stichting Zabawas. The exhibition is on show until 17 May 2015.

For more information: www.rijksmuseum.nl/rembrandt

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Winners of investment competition Scholenstijd open trading

The winners of investment competition Scholenstrijd open trading at Beursplein 5. Zoë Louwe, student at Regius College Schagen, sounds the gong on behalf of her class.

Scholenstrijd is an online investment competition for HAVO and VWO high school students. Student receive a virtual starting capital of 100.000 euros which they can invest in stocks and mutual funds listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

For more information: www.scholenstrijd.nl 

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Amsterdam City opens trading for Amsterdam City Index launch

Business association Amsterdam City sounds the gong to celebrate the launch of the Amsterdam City Index. Amsterdam City is dedicated to improve the economic climate in the city centre of Amsterdam.

This year, the index is published for the seventh time and measures the economic climate through 30 trends in the Amsterdam City Centre XL; the area between Central Station and Cornelis Schuytstraat, Haarlemmerdijk and Carré theatre. In 2015, the index is at 120 which means a two-point increase compared to last year.

For more information: www.amsterdamcityindex.nl

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SnowWorld sounds gong to mark one-year listing anniversary

By sounding the gong, SnowWorld (symbol: SNOW) marks its one-year listing on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

The reverse listing in December 2013 did not only improve SnowWorlds solvency, but also provided them access to the capital markets. The company has thuss become less dependent on the future availability of bank credit for the execution of its strategy.

The process of the IPO and subsequent issue of new shares in February 2014 led to a further professionalization of SnowWorld. The introduction of a Supervisory Board has played an important role and SnowWorld has formulated a clear strategy. The implementation of this strategy will take place within a framework of risk management and corporate governance. CEO Koos Hendriks sounds the gong.

For more information: www.snowworld.com

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Emma Children’s Hospital and Albert Heijn sound gong for fundraising initiative

The Emma Children’s Hospital AMC and Albert Heijn sound the gong to call attention to a shared fundraising initiative.

This year, the Emma Children’s Hospital will celebrate it’s 150th birthday. This special occasion is an opportunity to build an internationally leading Intensive Care Neonatal Unit. In order to achieve this goal, the existing unit will need to be entirely renovated and further scientific research is needed.

A fund raising initiative was set up together with Albert Heijn. From February 10 until April 6, customers of 80 Albert Heijn stores may donate their recyclables refund money, with proceeds benefitting the Emma Children’s Hospital.

For more information: www.steunemma.nl

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Opening gong in honor of World Epilepsy Day

The Dutch Epilepsy Foundation sounds the gong on World Epilepsy Day to highlight the launch of their new website and a fundraising event that will take place this year.

Worldwide, 65 million people suffer from the unpredictable condition epilepsy for which there is no cure yet. Consequently, scientific research into the causes of epilepsy is of vital importance. The Dutch Epilepsy Foundation subsidizes studies that may lead to a cure. Furthermore the foundation supports people with epilepsy providing them with the right information, individual help and special holidays for those people who cannot travel by themselves due to their epilepsy.

Wouter de Klein, whose 5-year-old daughter Marte was diagnosed with epilepsy, sounds the gong in the presence of his fellow members of the Round Table 133 Utrechtsche Heuvelrug. They are organising a fundraising dinner and auction. The proceeds will benefit the Dutch Epilepsy Foundation.

For more information: www.epilepsie.nl

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MBI Life Sciences & Health sounds closing gong

Ventures participating in the MBI Life Sciences & Health program visit Euronext Amsterdam to pitch their businesses in front of a number of investors in the Life Sciences & Health industry. Director MBI Life Sciences & Health, Marianne van der Steen, sounds the closing gong.

The MBI Life Sciences & Health is a new program specifically designed for entrepreneurs in the Life Sciences & Health industry. The program is an initiative of top research institutes from the Netherlands and Belgium such as UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, VIB and FlandersBIO. It is supported by an actively involved advisory board with a proven entrepreneurial track record. It is an ‘learning-on-the-job’ program to accelerate ventures on a global scale. On the 1st of October the program starts with new ventures.

For more information: www.mbi-lifesciencesandhealth.com

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Gong marks IPO GrandVision

GrandVision celebrates listing on Euronext Amsterdam by opening trading.

GrandVision (trading symbol GVNV) is the global leader in optical retail by number of stores (excluding sunglass specialty stores) and delivers high quality and affordable eye care to customers around the world. The high quality eye care offered by GrandVision includes a wide range of services provided by its optical experts, prescription glasses including frames and lenses, contact lenses and contact lens care products, and sunglasses both plain and with prescription lenses. These products are offered through its leading optical retail banners which operate in 43 countries across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. GrandVision serves its customers in over 5,600 stores.

For more information: www.grandvision.com

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Unilever celebrates cooperation with European Federation of Food Banks

Unilever (ticker symbol: UNIA) sounds the gong to celebrate its three-year partnership with the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA). They have joined forces in the battle against hunger and food wastage in Europe.

Unilever has been working with various members of FEBA at the international level for many years. The company donates 100,000 euro every year to help finance new food banks in Eastern and Southern Europe and to support the activities of existing food banks in those regions. Over 120 million people (almost one fourth of the population of Europe) risk living in poverty, while Europe wastes over 100 million tons of food every year. Tom Hillemans, vice chairman of the Association of Dutch Food Banks, and Bart Kuppens, VP Marketing Foods, Home & Personal Care Unilever Benelux, open trading.

For more information: www.unilever.com

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EnterNext welcomes Lucas Bols N.V.

40 year old leading global spirits player raises €126 million in IPO
 “This IPO is an important milestone in the 440 years of history of our company. We feel honoured to bring back together two of the oldest Dutch companies still active; the oldest stock exchange in the world and the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand. We are excited to enter this next phase together with our new shareholders , and we look forward to execute our international growth strategy and further strengthen our position as the world’s leading cocktail authority.”.”
Huub van Doorne, CEO Lucas Bols

Lucas Bols celebrates IPO

Lucas Bols CEO Huub van Doorne celebrates the company’s listing by sounding the gong. He is accompanied by CFO Joost de Vries, Creative & Communications Director Sandie van Doorne en their Supervisory Board.

Lucas Bols is the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand and one of the oldest Dutch companies still active. Building on its 440 year old heritage dating back to 1575, the company has mastered the art of distilling, mixing and blending old recipes with new flavours for its portfolio of premium and super-premium brands. Lucas Bols’ owns a portfolio of more than 20 brands across a range of spirits products, including liqueurs, genever, gin and vodka used in cocktail bars around the world. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries.

Van Doorne: “This IPO is an important milestone in the 440 years of history of our company. We feel honoured to bring back together two of the oldest Dutch companies still active; the oldest stock exchange in the world and the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand. We are excited to enter this next phase together with our new shareholders, and we look forward to execute our international growth strategy and further strengthen our position as the world’s leading cocktail authority.”

For more information: www.lucasbols.com

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Neelie Kroes sounds gong for startup climate

Neelie Kroes opens trading to mark the Dutch startup climate. By sounding the gong she raises awareness for the innovation and economic growth that is generated by startups.

In her role as Special Envoy of StartupDelta, Neelie Kroes has been connecting multinationals, startups, investors and government over the last month. The Netherlands is the biggest startup ecosystem in Europe and strives to be in the top 3 of European startup hub’s. To strengthen the current position StartupDelta introduces startup deals that connect all parties in the startup ecosystem to jointly invest in the startup climate. In order to ensure a sustainable climate towards the future, StartupDelta pleads to add coding to the curriculum of elementary schools.

For more information: www.startupdelta.org

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CFO Philips marks start Innovation Award 2015

By sounding the gong CFO of Philips (ticker symbol: PHIA), Ron Wirahadiraksa, marks the start of the 10^th Philips Innovation Award.

The Philips Innovation Award 2015 challenges all students to submit an innovative plan. The jury, presided over by Frans van Houten (CEO of Philips), takes (among other criteria) the impact, sustainability and feasability of the plans into account. Participating students receive personal feedback, training and coaching from top entrepreneurs and professionals. The winner of the 10th edition of the Award will be announced during the final at 21 May 2015.The prize consists of cash and a toolkit of products and services that gives the student-entrepreneurs a kick start.

For more information: www.phia.nl

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Wolters Kluwer celebrates ‘Bronze Class Sustainability Award’

For the eighth year in a row, Wolters Kluwer (ticker symbol: _WKL) has been awarded the Bronze Class Sustainability Award from RobecoSAM, as part of “The Sustainability Yearbook.” In the same week, Wolters Kluwer was again recognized as one of the ‘Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’ by Corporate Knights for the third consecutive year.

The repeated inclusion in these important environmental, social and governance indices endorses the Wolters Kluwer digital-first and innovation-driven sustainability strategy. Wolters Kluwer continues its commitment towards business practices which minimize the environmental impact and maximize societal benefits.  

RobecoSAM’s The Sustainability Yearbook is the world’s most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability. Since 2004, The Sustainability Yearbook has listed the world’s most sustainable companies in each industry as determined by their score in RobecoSAM’s annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Out of 4609 companies, the Global 100 has selected the 100 best performing stocks globally on the basis of 12 quantitative and sector-relevant sustainability indicators. Company secretary Maarten Thompson sounds the gong.

For more information: www.wolterskluwer.com

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Value8 sounds gong to mark acquisition AquaServa

By sounding the gong Value8 Tech Group marks the acquisition of AquaServa. CEO at Value8 (ticker symbol: VALUE), Peter Paul de Vries, opens trading.

The latest acquisition of Value8 is AquaServa, a leading party in the Netherlands in the field of water. AquaServa specializes in managing water systems and solving water-related problems such as legionella. Two other transactions are the acquisition of 60% of Kersten Healthcare, a provider of medical devices for people with disabilities and the acquisition of investment websites beursduivel.be and belegger.nl. With these transactions, the group has not only grown, but the focus changed to the growth sectors of primary health care and specialized financial services. The acquisition of AquaServa fits the ambition of the Value8 Tech Group to expand into high-quality service.

For more information: www.value8.com

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New CFO Vastned, Reinier Walta, visits Euronext Amsterdam

Reinier Walta, the new CFO of Vastned, visits Euronext Amsterdam and opens trading by sounding the gong. Walta is accompanied by amongst others CEO Taco de Groot.

As of 1 November 2014, Reinier Walta is the new CFO of Vastned (ticker symbol: VASTN), the listed European retail property company focusing on ‘venues for premium shopping’. Vastned invests in selected cities in Europe and Istanbul, with a clear focus on the best retail property in popular shopping streets in the bigger cities. Vastned's tenants are leading international and national retail brands. The property portfolio has a size of approximately € 1.5 billion. Walta has over fifteen years of experience in the international property market. Over the past three years, as a Senior Transaction Manager, he was responsible from Abu Dhabi for the execution, structuring and financing of all major property transactions in Europe for the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). Walta was appointed by the shareholders of Vastned as CFO and Statutory Director for a period of four years.

For more information: www.vastned.com

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