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 ambition to make personal learning available at scale.
LeadershipCEO, Relevance
Connecting leadership, learning culture and the future of personal development.
Client partnershipsLearning & Development advisor
A starting point for organizations exploring their next learning journey.
Leadership · Global marketingGlobal marketing
Exploring how personal learning and new technology can reach more people around the world.
LeadershipLeadership
Connecting learner feedback with the decisions that improve our learning programs.
Leadership · Learning & innovationDirector Consulting
Connecting leadership research with practical learning experiences that help people change how they work.
Learning & innovationBlended learning
Bringing people and technology together through digital learning and realistic conversation practice.
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Client partnershipsClient partnerships
Contributing to Relevance’s thinking on lasting capability.
Project deliveryTeam Lead, Project Management
Supporting the project management team in organizing learning programs.
Leadership · DACHManaging Director, DACH
Leading Relevance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Learning & innovation · DACHSenior Consultant, DACH
Helping organizations translate business strategy into leadership development.
Client partnerships · DACHClient partnerships, DACH
Working with clients on leadership development and learning that carries into everyday work.
DACHDACH team
Part of the Relevance team in Düsseldorf.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Connecting clients, teams and the practical details of learning delivery.
Project deliveryProject Lead
Guiding the planning and coordination of learning projects.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Managing the practical coordination of learning programs.
Project deliveryProject Manager
Managing the planning and delivery of learning programs.
Project deliveryProject Center management
Supporting the people and processes behind the delivery of learning programs.
Project deliveryProcess & Quality Specialist
Bringing long experience in learning delivery to the quality of our processes.
Project deliveryProject Management Officer
Supporting the organization and administration of learning projects.
Project deliveryFaculty coordination
Connecting Relevance with its network of facilitators, trainers and coaches.
Client partnershipsClient partnerships
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
Working with public-sector clients on their learning and development needs.
Learning & innovationLead Consultant
Designing and guiding leadership development that connects learning with everyday practice.
Learning & innovationDigital learning
Bringing content and technology together to support personal learning and realistic conversation practice.
Learning & innovationLearning Portfolio Lead
Shaping the learning portfolio and the experiences it brings together.
Learning & innovationJunior Blended Learning Consultant
Supporting the design and development of blended learning experiences.
Client partnershipsPublic-sector partnerships
Helping public-sector and nonprofit organizations explore learning and development for their people.
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 deliveryProject Support
Supporting the practical work behind learning projects.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the planning and organization of learning programs.
Learning & innovationLeadership & Personal Development Consultant
Designing and facilitating leadership and personal development programs.
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 Leadership Consultant
Supporting leadership development through learning and consultation.
Learning & innovationLeadership & Change Consultant
Working with leaders and teams on leadership and change.
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 partnershipsLearning & Development Advisor
Helping clients explore their learning and development needs.
Project deliveryProject Coordinator
Coordinating the practical arrangements behind learning programs.
Learning & innovationLeadership Development & Executive Coaching
Designing leadership development and supporting leaders through coaching.
Learning & innovationTrainer, Consultant & Podcast Host
Bringing training, consultation and conversation to leadership development.
Project deliveryProject Support
Supporting the project team with the practical organization of learning.
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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