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Nevi Contract Management Day 2026: The Contract Manager as a Chameleon

News 3 minutes 16 April 2026

How do you use a contract as a guide for collaboration rather than as an escalation tool? That was one of the central questions during the 13th edition of the Nevi Contract Management Day on 14 April 2026. The event brought together 450 contract managers and procurement professionals at Burgers’ Zoo, centred around the theme: the contract manager as a chameleon.

Trust as a Necessary Foundation

Biologist and host Mátyás Bittenbinder opened the keynote with vivid comparisons between the animal kingdom and the work of contract managers, repeatedly highlighting the importance of trust and collaboration. His examples of cleaner shrimp and crocodile birds illustrated this most clearly: small animals that enter the mouths of predators without any protection. The risks are high, yet the cooperation continues as long as both parties benefit and respect each other’s role. The moment that balance disappears, the collaboration ends instantly.

Contracts as a Blueprint for Collaboration

This observation formed a natural bridge to contract management. Sibrecht Diender, expert in relational contracting, built on this by emphasising that contracts only create value when they are actively used as a blueprint for collaboration. In many organisations, the opposite happens: contracts are primarily drafted from a legal perspective to mitigate risks and protect one’s own position. In practice, this leads to competition and tug‑of‑war between client and contractor.

Trust—To a Certain Extent

What this looks like in practice, and why relational contracting is not always straightforward, was made clear by Jacintha van den Hoek, CPO at Rabobank. At the bank, trust is a top priority, but never unconditional. Operating in a highly regulated environment means that contracts must be continuously assessed for compliance and risk. This requires contract managers who can adapt when needed, but who also know when to set firm boundaries. As she put it: “The chameleon is a useful metaphor, but in negotiations and when risks are involved, you must also clearly take your position.”
“The chameleon is a useful metaphor, but in negotiations and when risks are involved, you must also clearly take your position.”
Jacintha van den Hoek, CPO at Rabobank


Further Deepening

Building on the keynote foundations, the rest of the day continued with in‑depth sessions led by a wide range of inspiring speakers. Questions were raised and explored, such as: How do we put relational contracting into practice? How do you classify contracts? How do you learn to trust your supplier? And how do you stay aligned together on contractual agreements?

In short, it was an inspiring day once again.

Will You Join Us Next Time?

If you couldn’t attend this year’s edition but don’t want to miss Nevi’s next major event—or if you’re already looking forward to what’s coming—be sure to mark the Nevi Procurement Day on 5 November in your calendar. It’s a special event every year, but this edition will carry an extra festive touch as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. More to follow.

Questions? Get in touch with us.

evenementen@nevi.nl. 

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