About Relevance
We help people develop the capability to move their organizations forward. Through leadership, talent and professional skills programs, we connect what your business needs with what your people can do.
Meet RelevanceOur roots are in Schouten & Nelissen, founded by Jan Schouten in 1980. His research into assertiveness became a practical way to help people communicate and act with greater confidence at work.
Relevance is the in-company learning business of Schouten & Nelissen. We bring that same connection between research and daily practice to the challenges organizations face now.
From the ideas behind Schouten & Nelissen to Relevance today. Follow the moments, people and possibilities that shaped our story.
Take a scroll through time
Jan Schouten
Jan Schouten’s doctoral research explores freedom at work, autonomy and employee wellbeing. It lays the intellectual foundation for a different approach to developing people.
The story behind the idea
Schouten & Nelissen
Jan Schouten and Boris Nelissen establish Schouten & Nelissen in Zaltbommel. Practical training helps people speak up, communicate and stand more confidently in their work.
Our Schouten & Nelissen rootsSchouten Global
Schouten Global is established, taking Schouten & Nelissen’s approach to international organizations and setting the course for the global learning partner we are today.
Our international storySchouten Global × Team Brunel
As sponsor and coach of Team Brunel in the Volvo Ocean Race, Schouten Global brings leadership and team development into one of sport’s toughest environments.
Our Team Brunel storyRelevance
Schouten Global becomes Relevance. A new name captures our continuing purpose: helping people and organizations keep learning, adapting and growing in a changing world.
Meet Relevance — the launch podcast
Relevance × Area9 Lyceum
Relevance launches Capable® with Area9 Lyceum, combining adaptive digital learning with live coaching, workshops and practice at work to make development more personal.
The Capable® launchSchouten & Nelissen · Relevance · Nedvest
Relevance joins Nedvest alongside Schouten & Nelissen, Competence, New Dawn and Thema. The companies continue under their own names, with continuity and international growth at the heart of the next chapter.
Read the announcement
Before our story began, this Zaltbommel landmark was a school. Today, its familiar facade and shared courtyard bring people together to learn.
Every organization brings a different challenge. These are some of the partnerships behind our work — explore their stories.
Award-winning client programmes, independent recognition and the standards and communities that support our work.
Celebrating client programmes and the people behind learning, including recognised finalists.
Programme awards & people
2024 · Winner · Fugro
Fugro’s U.Gro, co-created with Relevance, was named Graduate Programme of the Year at the GE Workforce Awards.
Read the award recognition
Programme awards & people
2023 · Winner · Action
Action’s People Management Program Stores, developed with Relevance, received an ATD Excellence in Practice Award in Leadership/Management Development.
Read the award recognition
Programme awards & people
2018 award · Presented in 2019 · OSRAM
OSRAM’s Essentials of Leadership programme, developed with Schouten Global, now Relevance, received an ATD Excellence in Practice Award.
Read the award recognition
Programme awards & people
2022 · Winner · Fugro U.Gro
Fugro’s U.Gro International Leadership Track received the Best Practice Balanced Projects award in the Best Traineeship 2022 competition.
Read the award recognitionProgramme awards & people
2022 · Finalist · Esmée Tijs
Esmée Tijs of Relevance was a finalist for Rising Star of the Year at the Learning and Performance Institute’s Learning Awards.
Read the recognitionProgramme awards & people
2021 · Finalist · Schouten Global
Schouten Global was a finalist for External Learning Solution of the Year at the Learning Awards. Part of the history we bring into Relevance today.
Read the recognitionAccreditations, certifications and milestones across Relevance and Schouten & Nelissen.
Quality & assurance
Schouten & Nelissen · Brand Compliance
Schouten & Nelissen holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. It supports consistent processes and continuous improvement.
View Schouten & Nelissen’s credentials
Quality & assurance
Schouten & Nelissen · Brand Compliance
Schouten & Nelissen holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management: a systematic approach to protecting information and managing security risks.
View Schouten & Nelissen’s credentials
Quality & assurance
2024 assessment · Relevance Learning B.V.
Cedeo recognises Relevance Learning B.V. for custom corporate training, based on independent customer satisfaction research.
View the recognition
Quality & assurance
2022 · Relevance
Relevance has earned LPI Gold Standard accreditation for its commitment to improving learning and development.
View the recognition
Quality & assurance
Schouten & Nelissen
Schouten & Nelissen is registered in the Dutch Central Register of Short Professional Education, which sets quality requirements for registered training institutions.
View Schouten & Nelissen’s credentials
Quality & assurance
2025 · Schouten Company
Schouten Company's 2025 sustainability report records an EcoVadis Bronze rating for the group's sustainability efforts.
Read the recognitionThe networks we learn with and contribute to.
Professional communities
Relevance
Relevance is a member of NRTO, the Dutch association for private training and education providers.
About this membership
Professional communities
Relevance
As a Dutch Edtech member, Relevance connects with a community advancing innovation in learning and education.
About this membershipWe bring different perspectives and a shared purpose: helping people grow. Meet some of the people behind our learning experiences, from project delivery to our DACH team serving Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Explore careers at Relevance
Meet our people
Follow Relevance on LinkedIn
LeadershipManaging Director, Relevance
Leading Relevance’s strategy, operations and commercial growth.
LeadershipCEO, Relevance
Connecting leadership, learning culture and the future of personal development.
Client partnershipsClient Director
Partnering with organisations to connect strategic capability needs with tailored, scalable learning journeys.
Client partnershipsGlobal Key Account Manager & Portal Partner Manager
Building relationships with international clients and portal partners, with a focus on developing people and organizations.
Leadership · Global marketingHead of Marketing
Developing Relevance’s brand, propositions and market presence for personal learning at scale.
LeadershipChief Strategy Officer (CSO)
Shaping Relevance’s strategy and long-term development.
Leadership · Learning & innovationDirector of Learning Products & Portfolio
Leading the learning product portfolio, with a focus on quality, scalability and learning effectiveness.
Learning & innovationLearning Technologies Lead
Leading learning technology and product development, with a focus on Relevance Capable.
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Client partnershipsClient Director
Partnering with clients and learning experts to create development solutions with lasting impact.
Project deliveryTeam Lead, Project Management
Leading the project management team in organizing and delivering learning programs.
Leadership · DACHManaging Director DACH
Leading Relevance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Learning & innovation · DACHSenior Consultant
Helping organizations translate business strategy into leadership development.
Client partnerships · DACHGlobal Client Director
Working with clients on leadership development and learning that carries into everyday work.
Client partnerships · DACHClient Success Manager
Supporting client success as part of Relevance’s DACH team.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Managing international learning projects with a focus on clients, teams and reliable delivery.
Project deliveryProject Lead
Leading large international learning programs from initiation and coordination through delivery.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Managing the practical coordination of learning programs.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Managing global learning and leadership development programs with clients, facilitators and teams.
Project deliveryProject Center Manager
Leading the Project Center team and the coordination behind learning delivery.
Project deliveryProcess & Quality Specialist
Bringing long experience in learning delivery to the quality of our processes.
Project deliveryProject Support Officer, Training & Education
Coordinating in-company learning programs, connecting clients and trainers, and supporting planning, administration and process improvement.
Project deliveryHead of Faculty
Leading Relevance’s international faculty, connecting programs with the right consultants, facilitators, trainers and coaches.
Client partnershipsGlobal Account Manager
Working with clients to connect their development needs with relevant learning experiences.
Client partnershipsClient Director
Working with clients to connect leadership and talent development with their needs.
Leadership · Client partnershipsDirector, Public Sector
Leading public-sector strategy and results, and contributing to Relevance’s direction as a member of the management team.
Learning & innovationLead Consultant
Designing and guiding leadership development that connects learning with everyday practice.
Learning & innovationBlended Learning Consultant
Coordinating client and internal learning projects, with attention to planning, progress and quality.
Learning & innovationLearning Portfolio Lead
Developing the learning portfolio and aligning learning journeys with strategic priorities.
Learning & innovationJunior Blended Learning Consultant
Supporting blended learning projects, drawing on experience helping set up Relevance Capable.
Client partnershipsTraining Advisor & Internal Account Manager, Incompany Training
Advising organisations on incompany learning solutions and helping connect development needs with relevant training.
Client partnershipsStrategic Account Manager, Public Sector
Connecting public-sector organizations with learning and development support.
Client partnerships · MarketingContent Marketeer
Creating content that connects people with Relevance’s learning and development work.
Client partnerships · MarketingCRM & Online Marketeer
Working on CRM and online marketing to support relevant client communication.
Project deliveryInternational Project Support
Supporting the practical organization of international learning projects.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator, Public Sector
Coordinating the planning and organization of learning programs for public-sector clients.
Learning & innovationLead Consultant
Leading international leadership and talent development assignments and building client relationships.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the practical organization of learning programs.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Helping keep the planning and delivery of learning programs connected.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Helping organize the practical details of learning delivery.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the people and practical details involved in learning programs.
Learning & innovationSenior Consultant Learning & Development
Advising on learning and development and helping turn learning needs into practical solutions.
Learning & innovation · DACHSenior Consultant
Working on learning and development with the DACH team.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Bringing planning, organization and process coordination to learning projects.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the practical work that supports learning experiences.
Learning & innovationSenior Consultant
Designing and facilitating leadership programs around clients’ development needs.
Learning & innovationLead Consultant, Global facilitator, Executive (team) coach
Supporting leaders and teams through coaching, cultural transformation and international development programs.
Project deliveryInternational Project Manager
Managing the coordination of international learning projects.
Client partnershipsAccount Manager, Public Sector
Working with public-sector clients on their learning and development needs.
Project deliveryCommercial Operations & Quality Specialist
Supporting commercial operations and the quality of our processes.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Helping organize learning programs from planning through delivery.
Client partnershipsPartner Business Development Director
Developing new business opportunities and partnerships that connect organisations with relevant learning solutions.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the practical arrangements behind learning programs.
Learning & innovationGlobal Lead Consultant
Designing, delivering and facilitating development programs for people and organizations.
Learning & innovationConsultant
Combining training and consulting with writing and podcast conversations about leadership development.
Project deliveryProject Support
Supporting the project team with the practical organization of learning.
Project deliveryProject Support
Supporting the practical organization of learning programs.
Our global faculty brings the learning to life, in your language and context.
Good learning starts with people who understand your world. Our faculty brings experience of different industries, languages and cultures. We match facilitators to each group’s context and level of responsibility, so the conversation feels relevant wherever learning takes place.
Behind every program is a team making it happen. Our project managers coordinate planning and delivery across locations, working with local facilitators to bring a shared program to life. Your people learn in their own context, with a common purpose connecting the experience.
Explore our facultyWe start by understanding what your organization needs people to be able to do. Together, we connect those priorities to the decisions, conversations and situations participants encounter at work.
Your strategy, culture and working environment shape the experience. We can build on an existing program, adapt a proven approach or design a journey with you.
Research informs the methods. Live sessions, digital learning, coaching and practice at work give people opportunities to try, reflect and apply what they learn.
Measurement is built into the program, helping you understand progress and decide where further support is needed.
Looking ahead
We keep developing the way learning works. Relevance Capable® brings adaptive learning and AI-supported practice into our facilitator-led programs, adjusting sequence and pace to the learner and supporting practice between live sessions.
For us, innovation serves a clear purpose: helping people get the support they need and giving facilitators better insight into where to focus their attention. Human understanding remains at the heart of the experience.
Tell us where your people are today and where you want to go. We’ll explore what learning could make possible.
Start a conversation
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