Michel van Bakel
Alkmaar,The Netherlands
Summary
Strategic Enterprise Architect with over 30 years of experience in delivering large-scale business and digital transformation initiatives in financial services and government. Expertise in advising executive leadership on enterprise architecture, operating model design, and process transformation. Bridges business strategy with technology to develop sustainable transformation roadmaps that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Overview
4
4
Languages
1
1
Certification
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Business Architect
Rabobank
01-1901, 01-1901
01.2023 - Current
- Facilitated executive decision-making by translating strategic objectives into practical implementation scenarios.
- Designed business and application architecture supporting implementation of Rabobank's new Corporate Risk Model.
- Developed future-state operating models to balance regulatory delivery with long-term platform transformation goals.
- Created business architecture for Corporate Origination Journey, enhancing alignment within Rabobank's Lending & Insurance Tribe.
- Introduced architecture principles that enabled effective Business Process Management and established service-oriented operating models.
- Applied TOGAF and ArchiMate to integrate business, process and application architecture.
Strategic Enterprise Architect
Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst)
01.2015 - 01.2023
- Provided strategic architecture leadership for nationwide transformation programmes across multiple government domains.
- Designed enterprise architecture supporting digital transformation across multiple business domains.
- Developed architecture standards using ArchiMate to enhance traceability from strategy to implementation.
- Led architecture initiatives supporting GDPR ('Need to Know') implementation.
- Developed reference architectures for case management, process standardisation and cross-organisational collaboration.
- Designed governance models improving consistency across directorates.
- Advised executive management on operating model transformation and organisational redesign to align with strategic objectives.
- Supported implementation of Lean process improvements and business capability modelling to optimise operational effectiveness.
- Earlier responsibilities included strategic advisory for the Dutch Government Data Centre transition, innovation management, open-source strategy and rationalisation of legacy applications.
Enterprise & Business Architect
Delta Lloyd
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Developed enterprise-wide business architecture aligned with strategic objectives.
- Designed future operating models supporting customer-centric insurance transformation.
- Led strategic transformation initiatives across life insurance, commercial insurance and banking, aligning operations with organisational goals.
- Facilitated executive strategy workshops, translating business vision into actionable implementation roadmaps that guided project execution.
- Led organisational redesign initiatives that enhanced collaboration between business and IT, fostering a more integrated approach to project delivery.
- Designed target application architecture supporting modern product platforms.
- Introduced business rule modelling improving product standardisation.
Enterprise Business Architect
REAAL Insurance
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Led enterprise-wide service improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Achievements included: Reduced incident resolution time by approximately 75% through organisational redesign and improved information management.
- Introduced Lean and socio-technical principles to optimise organisational processes.
- Delivered Lean Six Sigma awareness training to increase staff proficiency in process improvement.
- Designed knowledge management and governance frameworks.
- Regular speaker on Business Architecture and Digital Transformation.
Enterprise Architecture | Management | Programme Leadership
ING Bank
01.1997 - 01.2007
- Developed and implemented enterprise architecture for SEPA initiative, aligning technology with business strategy.
- Managed programme and contract activities to ensure compliance and delivery.
- Managed relationships with executive stakeholders to align strategies and objectives.
- Managed functional application team, ensuring effective application delivery and support.
- Led professional development initiatives to enhance team skills and capabilities.
- Progressed through senior architecture and management roles, enhancing organisational capability.
Education
Master in Architecture -
Radboud University / Capgemini
Utrecht, UTMSc - Microbiology
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, NHSkills
- TOGAF and ArchiMate expertise
- Enterprise architecture
- Business transformation
- Digital strategies
- Operating model
- Business process management
- Lean methodologies
- Advisory services
- Capability modelling
- Service design
- Design frameworks
- Compliance management
- Financial services knowledge
- Government initiatives
- Stakeholder engagement
- Leadership practices
Certification
- TOGAF 9 Certified
- ArchiMate Foundation & Practitioner
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- DYA Certified
- Bizzdesign Architect
- Enterprise Architect (Sparx)
- Service Oriented Architecture
- Design Thinking & Service Design
- Scaled Agile Framework
Languages
Dutch
First Language
English
Advanced
C1
French
Upper Intermediate
B2
German
Intermediate
B1
Other Engagements
- Guest Lecturer, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Business Architecture
- Guest Speaker, BPM Conference
- Guest Speaker, SHIFT Conference
- Guest Author, Netherlands Architecture Forum (NAF)
- Organiser Hackaton 'Hack the Government'
Personal Information
Available: Remote | Hybrid | International Consulting
Hobbies and interests
- Cycling (racing or gravel)
- Spinning
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Singing (bass baritone) in a (chamber) choir
- Theatre
Timeline
Senior Business Architect
Rabobank
01.2023 - Current
Strategic Enterprise Architect
Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst)
01.2015 - 01.2023
Enterprise & Business Architect
Delta Lloyd
01.2010 - 01.2015
Enterprise Business Architect
REAAL Insurance
01.2007 - 01.2010
Enterprise Architecture | Management | Programme Leadership
ING Bank
01.1997 - 01.2007
Master in Architecture -
Radboud University / Capgemini
MSc - Microbiology
University of Amsterdam