Simon van Teutem

Simon obtained a Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford, placing him among the top 5% of his cohort. This experience enables him to debate social issues with ease. Simon casts a critical eye on Dutch and European politics through BNR Radio, newspapers, and Twitter, where he reached more than 21,000 followers. He is also a regular commentator on the television program RTL Tonight. A voice for society In addition, Simon advises students on making study choices through his podcast Keuzecast. He can currently be heard on NRC’s Heijne & Van Teutem podcast, where, together with his colleague Bas Heijne, he discusses key issues of our time, such as politics, identity, and masculinity. Simon’s main driving force for his idealism comes from his life lesson: “If you have talents, use them for the vulnerable in society.” This inspires him to make a positive impact. Alongside his popular podcast, Simon has also written political reflections for Het Parool and De Correspondent, and has shared them on BNR Nieuwsradio as a member of their youth panel. With every column or podcast episode, he offers a fresh perspective on the world and encourages every reader or listener to speak out on social issues. The Bermuda Triangle of Talent As a former intern at Morgan Stanley, and based on more than 200 candid conversations with professionals from these sectors, Simon exposes the mechanisms behind such career choices in his book The Bermuda Triangle of Talent. He takes you into the world of young talents who, often sooner than they realize, end up in consultancy, corporate law, and investment banking. He not only provides a sharp look at the culture of big money but also raises the question: are we really making the best use of talent? Oxford Union Simon served as a member of the governing body of the world-famous Oxford Union, a student-run organization. Past speakers include Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and David Cameron. Before joining the Oxford Union, Simon founded a company to help Dutch students apply to top universities in the UK and spent a summer working for the business magazine Quote.