Contact 

Frans Claassen has been working at SMK since September 2025. As Team Leader of Plant products Agro Chains, he holds (final) responsibility for all certification schemes within the plant product domain.

Frans has extensive management experience in the agricultural sector and possesses knowledge of various crops. Since his studies, he has been active in many areas of the supply chain, including cultivation and export. In recent years he has been particularly involved in the inspection of propagation material in the horticultural sector.

His priority is translating well-designed and transparent schemes into practical application: “I believe that you need to explore possibilities together with stakeholders. Rules should be translated into practice so that entrepreneurs can truly work with them.”

With his enthusiasm and broad experience, together with his team, he will contribute to the sustainability of plant products, such as vegetables, fruit, and ornamental plants, through the On the way to PlanetProof quality label.

At SMK, Frans works with his team on making the Dutch and international horticultural sector sustainable, with as key goal: “building bridges between sustainability ideals and the practical realities of economic and technical feasibility.”

Mail Frans: fclaassen@smk.nl  

Mail Jaap : jbijdevaate@smk.nl  

Mail Lien : lterryn@smk.nl  

Mail Els: evanderspek@smk.nl  

Mail Yannick: ykraamer@smk.nl  

Matz Beuchel has been working at SMK since July 2025. As a project leader, he supports Team Animal Products in developing, revising, and expanding certification schemes.

After earning his master’s degree in agricultural economics at Wageningen University, he worked as an animal protein market analyst at Rabobank and as a sustainability program manager at the Dutch Animal Feed Industry.

Matz is committed to a practical and broadly supported guarantee of sustainable animal products.

Mail Matz: mbeuchel@smk.nl  

Christiane Hornikel has been working at SMK since September 2025. As a project leader within the Plant Products team, she focuses on the development of certification schemes, in particular On the Way to PlanetProof.

Christiane studied Social Sciences and Rural Development in Germany. After her studies, she joined the German development cooperation, where she worked on creating income opportunities for cocoa and coffee farmers in Sierra Leone. In this role, she gained hands-on experience with the functioning and impact of sustainability certification. After moving to the Netherlands, she worked at UTZ and later at Rainforest Alliance, where she was involved in the development and implementation of sustainability programs for various themes and agricultural products, such as hazelnuts, herbs & spices, and bananas.

At SMK, Christiane sees an opportunity to contribute to more sustainable plant production and trade in the Netherlands and Europe, with attention to both people and nature.

Mail Christiane: chornikel@smk.nl  

Mail Herman : hdoctersvanleeuwen@smk.nl   

Mail Annika : aderidder@smk.nl   

Mail Saskia : svanwageningen@smk.nl  

Mail Marjelle: mbouwhuis@smk.nl  

Marlies Vrijenhoek joined SMK in July 2025. During her traineeship, she will work with Team Animal Products and Team Plant Products, supporting various projects.

Before joining SMK, she completed her Master’s degree in Animal Science at Wageningen University, specializing in Global and Sustainable Production. During her studies, she completed an internship in regenerative agriculture. She was also active on committees and the board of the student riding association A.W.S.R. Hipac St. Joris and the Wageningen Student Scouting Yggdrasilstam.

During her traineeship, Marlies hopes to learn a lot about quality labels and the sustainability of agricultural supply chains.

Mail Marlies: mvrijenhoek@smk.nl  

Mail Ellen : ebrussee@smk.nl  Call : 0682311031  

Since this summer, Jindra has been working as a communications consultant at SMK. She did her Bachelor in Communication Studies and her Master in Communication Studies at the University of Amsterdam. In South Africa, Jindra followed a minor in Media & Film Studies. Before joining SMK, she worked in the cultural and non-profit sector. In her new position, she can pursue her interest in sustainability. ‘In this position, I can combine my background in communications with my social commitment. I like to dedicate myself to a more sustainable world, which is exactly what SMK stands for. That is why I am looking forward to using my expertise for SMK.’

mailto:jspan@smk.nl  LinkedIn  

Juanita Franco Creutzberg has been working as a communications officer at SMK since September 2025. In this role, she is the hands on behind the communications team and translates strategies into clear and accessible communication. She combines her broad experience with a practical approach and is committed to highlighting the impact of certification labels, enabling businesses and consumers to make more conscious and sustainable choices.

Juanita studied Biology and Science Communication at Leiden University and has over seventeen years of experience in international communications, mainly within the non-profit sector. She has worked at the intersection of strategy and execution on themes such as sustainability, forest management and conservation, social impact, and science.

“At SMK, I want to contribute to a sustainable future where certification labels make a real difference through clear and accessible communication.”

Mail Juanita: jcreutzberg@smk.nl