Bertho Eckhardt stepped down as a supervisory director of insurance company Bovemij and chairman of the trade association Bovag with immediate effect yesterday. Eckhardt's resignation as chairman of Bovag does not affect his chairmanship of the association KNV Zorgtransport and Taxi and the federation KNV, according to KNV director Hubert Andela. At KNV Healthcare Transport and Taxi, Eckhardt's term of office runs until autumn 2021.

Eckhardt's resignation is linked to investigations into violations of the industry association's insurance subsidiary (Bovemij) compliance rules between 2014 and 2018. Bovemij himself announced the retirement of Eckhardt on Thursday evening in a short press release. 

"An aspect has emerged in the investigation, which has led Eckhardt to draw the conclusion to step down," said a Bovemij spokesperson in an explanation to the FD. 

The compliance violations involved have not been disclosed. Nor whether Eckhardt or other directors are the subject of investigation or whether they can be blamed. Law firm Houthoff has subsequently conducted an investigation into the matter and hopes to finalize it in the near future.

Bovag only reports to the FD on Friday morning that Eckhardt's departure from the trade association is the result of his retirement as a member of the supervisory board of Bovemij.

"He believes the future of Bovag will benefit from a new chairman," said the organization's statement.

Eckhardt has been chairman of the Bovag, the trade association of Dutch passenger car and truck dealers, damage repair and caravan companies and petrol stations, since 2013. About 9.000 entrepreneurs are affiliated with the organization.

Eckhardt was appointed by the Members' Council of the Bovag reappointed at the beginning of this year as general chairman. His third and last term would start on January 1, 2020 and, in accordance with the articles of association, would last a maximum of two years.

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