Former mayor Rob Welten honored with royal distinction for decades of public service
Rob Welten, a former mayor and long-time public servant, has been knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau for his dedication to cross-border cooperation and community initiatives. His work in Overijssel and Twente has left a lasting impact on regional governance and cultural projects.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Rob Welten |
| Honor | Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Presented by | Andries Heidema, Commissioner of the King in Overijssel |
| Roles Held | Mayor of Borne (10 years), Mayor of Haaksbergen (until 2025), EUREGIO Council Chairman |
| Current Roles | Ambassador for EUREGIO, Chairman of 'Scoren in de Wijk' (FC Twente), Chairman of Openluchttheater Hertme |
| Key Contributions | Cross-border cooperation, Twente Municipal Tax Office, Liberation Festival Overijssel |
| Location | Overijssel, Netherlands |
The Order of Orange-Nassau is a Dutch civil and military honor awarded to individuals for their exceptional contributions to society. The Commissioner of the King in Overijssel represents the national government at the provincial level, overseeing regional governance and ceremonial duties like award presentations.
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Rob Welten appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau
King Willem-Alexander has appointed former mayor Rob Welten as a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau for his outstanding contributions to society. Commissioner of the King in Overijssel, Andries Heidema, presented the royal distinction on Friday. In the presence of family and guests, Welten received his award during the EUREGIO Council meeting, where he was also appointed as an ambassador.
Rob Welten has a long track record in public administration. From 2006 to 2009, he served as alderman in the municipality of Oldenzaal. He then held the position of mayor of Borne for ten years and was mayor of Haaksbergen until 2025. Welten also served as chairman of the EUREGIO Council for many years. He remains actively involved as honorary chairman and ambassador. He has made an exceptional effort to promote cross-border cooperation in the border region.
Broad societal commitment
Rob Welten has also been actively engaged in broader societal initiatives in the Twente region and the province of Overijssel. For example, he served as chairman of the Twente Municipal Tax Office, member of the daily board of Regio Twente, and chairman of the Liberation Festival Overijssel. In the past, he also made valuable contributions as a member of the States and faction leader for the CDA Overijssel, serving on its daily board. Additionally, he has held various supervisory roles over the years. Currently, Rob Welten is chairman of the 'Scoren in de Wijk' project by FC Twente and chairman of the Openluchttheater Hertme.