Jennifer van den Berg appointed as Global Tax Group European Director

July 23, 2025

Kreston Global has appointed Jennifer van den Berg, Managing Partner at Kreston VDN in Belgium, as European Tax Director for the Kreston Global Tax Group. A certified tax accountant with a background in business management, Jennifer brings a strategic mindset and deep understanding of European tax issues to this leadership role.

Jennifer began her career with a business degree from Nyenrode Business Universiteit in the Netherlands, later moving into finance and tax advisory in Belgium. Her route into the profession was shaped not by spreadsheets but by a belief that accountancy, though often perceived as a technical requirement, is a vital enabler for entrepreneurs.

“Accountancy might not be perceived as the most exciting part of entrepreneurship, but it’s the part that makes a business viable,” Jennifer says. “Understanding your numbers gives you the power to grow sustainably, and that’s especially true for SMEs.”

Jennifer joined Kreston VDN seven years ago and became Managing Partner in 2022. Today, she leads a growing firm alongside Patrick De Putter, navigating a rapidly changing European tax landscape. With mandatory digital invoicing set to be introduced across the EU by 2030, already confirmed for the Netherlands in 2028, Jennifer sees a significant shift ahead.

“Historically, compliance was the backbone of our work. But automation is changing the way clients interact with their accountants. Our role is shifting from compliance to insight, from reporting numbers to advising on them,” she explains. “There’s real opportunity in helping business owners make smarter decisions, especially on cross-border tax matters.”

Jennifer’s appointment follows the tenure of Jelle Bakker, who led the group with distinction. She acknowledges the strong foundation he laid:

“Jelle had encyclopaedic knowledge and was a huge asset to the group. When I spoke with Mark Taylor, Chair of the Global Tax Group, about stepping into the role, it was clear I wasn’t expected to replicate Jelle’s style—but to build on it and contribute in my own way.”

That contribution includes a collaborative leadership style and a practical approach to knowledge-sharing. Jennifer’s focus will be on engaging member firms more actively, building out regional insight, and developing tools to support cross-border clients, starting with a European tax fact sheet that gives entrepreneurs a quick, accurate overview before entering a new market.

Jennifer’s involvement in the network began through Kreston’s Connected Leadership programme.

“It helped me see what was possible. It was a smaller group, with space to grow and speak openly. That gave me the confidence to step forward when the time was right.”

Her appointment to a European leadership role also reflects the growing visibility of women in senior positions across the network. As a young female managing partner, Jennifer is proud to represent a new generation of leaders and sees her role as a chance to help empower more women in the profession:

“There’s space in our profession for different voices and different leadership styles. The more diverse our teams, the better we can support clients with diverse needs.”

With a background spanning business management, finance, and international tax advisory, Jennifer brings a practical understanding of the challenges facing SMEs. Her hands-on experience supporting entrepreneurs across borders positions her well to lead the European tax group into its next phase.

“The world is changing. Our network has the scale, but also the local expertise, to meet that change head-on. I’m looking forward to helping make that happen.”