Minister Uitermark: "Civil servants work for and in contact with society. Therefore, it is important that top civil servants have practical knowledge and put citizens and businesses at the center of problem-solving. An agile civil service leadership that focuses on connection and expertise helps in this regard. After the reform, the focus will be on a smaller leadership with civil servants who have more practical knowledge."

The Directorate-General for the General Administrative Service (DGABD) supports departments in the recruitment and selection of top civil servants, strengthens public leadership, and provides targeted training for the civil service leadership. In the national service, simplicity, connection, and expertise must be central, focusing on top civil servants who serve the public interest as public leaders. Therefore, the DGABD is being transformed into a new directorate-general that will focus on top civil servants who bear ultimate responsibility after the reform. The managers directly below them (approximately 1250 positions) will henceforth form the senior management with potential to advance to top positions. Together with the departments, work will continue in a different form on the quality and talent development of these managers.

For the departments, it is important to find a good balance between professional mobility and knowledge retention. By focusing on a longer tenure for the top management group, this balance is ensured. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, the most desirable and effective option will be chosen.

It is important that the civil service leadership strives for simplicity and austerity in the execution of their work, for example, in the use of official transport, official travel, or organizing meetings. This is fitting for the exemplary role that top civil servants have in their organization and towards society.