Hans Hoogervorst

Hans Hoogervorst (19 April 1956) is the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands since May 2003. His previous positions in the Dutch government include Minister of Finance (2002-2003) and State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Social Affairs and Employment (1998-2002).

After completing his secondary education, he studied history at the University of Amsterdam, graduating in 1981. He then went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree in international relations at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. in 1983.

From 1983 to 1986 Mr Hoogervorst worked as an international banking officer with the National Bank of Washington (Washington, D.C.) and from 1986 to 1987 as a policy officer for international monetary affairs at the Dutch Ministry of Finance. From 1988 to 1994 he was a policy assistant on finance to the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) Second Chamber (Dutch Lower House]] and from 1994 to 1998 a Member of Parliament.

From 3 August 1998, Mr Hoogervorst was State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment in the second Kok government. On 22 July 2002 he was appointed Minister of Finance in the first Balkenende government. From 16 October 2002 he was also responsible for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. On 27 May 2003 he was appointed Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports in the second Balkenende government.