Mr de Geus took up his duties on 5 March 2007. A Dutch national, he was Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Netherlands from 2002 until 2007. As Minister, Mr. de Geus introduced major reforms in the Dutch social security system, notably by turning it into an activating system where citizens, employers and local authorities take their own responsibilities. During the four years of his tenure, he concluded major national agreements with social partners on wages, reforms of social security and tax-facilities for early retirement. He chaired the OECD Social Policy Ministerial Meeting in 2005 and has served in various functions at local, national and international level.