After more than 20 years of entrepreneurship, Patrick Tiessen is creating space for a new chapter in the growth of Nétive VMS. As of 1 April, he is handing over day-to-day leadership to Mikael Lindmark. A new CEO, a growth-focused investor, and international ambitions – they’re big steps. But for Patrick, it feels like a natural moment.
“This wasn’t a decision made overnight,” he explains. “Over time, we’ve had in-depth conversations with various parties interested in Nétive. But it had to fit – with our culture, our customers, and the future we envision.”
In recent years, Nétive has grown steadily. The company now has around 80 employees across several countries and holds a strong position in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium. Further international expansion is the logical next step, as is scaling up product development. But that demands something different from a company than in the pioneering phase in which Patrick and co-founder Chris Neddermeijer built Nétive.
“As an entrepreneur, you can do a lot,” Patrick reflects. “But there comes a moment when you feel the company deserves its next chapter – and that means stepping aside.” He found the right fit in Fortino Capital and in Mikael Lindmark, with whom both he and Chris immediately clicked. “After our first conversation with Mikael, we looked at each other and said: shouldn’t he be the one? That idea never left us.”
Mikael Lindmark is no stranger to the world of VMS and workforce management. He previously held senior commercial leadership roles at SAP Fieldglass, before moving into broader HR tech. But the pull of the VMS domain remained strong. “The market is evolving, but real innovation has stalled. I see a unique opportunity at Nétive to change that.”
What stood out to him? The company culture, the way customers and partners are treated, and the belief that long-term relationships and innovation go hand in hand. “What Patrick has built is something special: a company where people matter, where collaboration is rooted in trust, and where the focus is on creating long-term value. That aligns with how I work – and how I view growth.”
For Mikael, the first period is all about listening: “I want to get to know the people – employees, customers, partners. Where are they now? Where do they want to go? And what do they need to grow? Growth always starts with people.”
Though Patrick is stepping down as CEO, he remains closely involved as a shareholder and board member. Together with Fortino and Mikael, he forms the strategic backbone of Nétive’s next growth phase.
Fortino Capital is more than just an investor. “They understand software, they understand our market, and they share our values,” says Patrick. Mikael agrees: “They’re seasoned operators, not just financial backers – and that makes the partnership strong.”
The ambition is clear: accelerate product development, enter new markets, and maintain the unique culture Nétive is known for. As Mikael puts it, “Culture can’t be copied – but it can be passed on.”
This handover is not a farewell, but a continuation. Patrick remains involved, Chris continues his operational role, and the management team remains unchanged. “We’re building on a solid foundation,” Mikael says. “But we’re picking up the pace.”
Or, as Patrick sums it up: “I’m proud of what we’ve built together. And I’m just as curious as everyone else to see what’s next. But with Mikael at the helm, it feels like exactly the right move.”
This article provides additional context to the press release about Nétive VMS’s partnership with Fortino Capital and the appointment of Mikael Lindmark as CEO.
