Ger Baron steps down as Amsterdam's first IT chief
After twelve years, Ger Baron is saying goodbye to the municipality of Amsterdam. He was the city's first 'Chief Technology Officer' (CTO). In this role, he was responsible for all technological innovations within the capital. At the Stopera, he was known as an innovator who sometimes viewed matters differently than his colleagues.
In a look back at his career, Baron speaks candidly about the challenges he faced. He points, among other things, to the 'Afis' project, a system for fingerprints. According to Baron, the municipality should have been more critical regarding this project. He admits that at the time, they should have stated more clearly that certain choices were not the right ones.
Over his twelve years, Baron has implemented many changes in Amsterdam's digital infrastructure. He tried to make the city smarter and more modern by using new technologies. His departure marks the end of a period in which technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the daily administration of the city.
The role of CTO has since become a permanent fixture within the municipality. Baron's successor will continue to build on the foundations he has laid. The municipality of Amsterdam thanks him for his commitment and his contribution to the digital development of the city.