TicketSwap names new CEO, eyes global expansion
Online ticket resale platform TicketSwap has appointed Jan van Casteren as its new CEO, replacing co-founder Hans Ober, who is stepping down after more than 12 years in the role. The leadership change signals a new phase for the Amsterdam-based company as it shifts focus from resale services to becoming a broader event discovery platform, the company said in a press release.
Ober, who co-founded TicketSwap in 2012 with Frank Roor and Ruud Kamphuis, will remain closely involved. He joins the supervisory board and will lead strategic projects and innovation initiatives. Roor and Kamphuis previously stepped back from daily operations.
“I started at TicketSwap as an entrepreneur and gradually took on a bigger leadership role—something that was necessary for the company and that I enjoyed doing,” Ober said in a statement. “After 12½ years, I’m handing over the reins to Jan so I can fully focus on innovation and strategy within TicketSwap. It’s especially valuable that I can take this step within the company, together with my co-founders. I have full confidence in Jan and look forward to taking the next major steps for TicketSwap together.”
Van Casteren joins from logistics tech firm Flexport, where he served as Head of Europe and oversaw the company’s expansion across the continent. Before Flexport, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group, managing projects in the tech and industrial sectors. He holds an MBA from INSEAD in Singapore and an MSc in Information Science from Tilburg University.
With Van Casteren’s appointment, TicketSwap enters what it calls a new growth phase, shifting from a secondhand ticket marketplace to a discovery platform connecting fans with live entertainment, sports, and events. The strategic focus includes international market expansion, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing the platform’s role in the broader event ecosystem.
“I’ve been a TicketSwap user since the very beginning. The fan experience is just right: it’s user-friendly, transparent, and safe,” Van Casteren said in a press release. “We’re seeing the landscape shift rapidly. We can offer users more than just access and help organizers find new ways to reach their audiences. I see plenty of opportunities, both in the Netherlands and abroad, and I look forward to translating those into growth and a positive impact on the wider events ecosystem with the strong team here.”
