About Rick van Echtelt
Rick van Echtelt is the Co-Founder and CEO of AG5, where he leverages over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and developing skills management software. Passionate about innovation and creating new business models, Rick thrives on empowering his team to achieve their full potential. He played a pivotal role in establishing the first skills matrix software for the Dutch safety regions, demonstrating his ability to merge technology with critical public services while ensuring seamless and impactful implementation.
Prior to founding AG5, Rick established N200, where he honed his skills in the software sector and gained invaluable experience in strategic business growth. He now uses that expertise to guide AG5 Skills Management Software toward industry leadership by developing cutting-edge solutions for skills and compliance management.
Rick holds an academic background in Business and Economics from Nyenrode Business University and Inholland University of Applied Sciences. His solid educational foundation complements his extensive professional acumen.
Beyond leading the AG5 team, Rick is a dedicated advocate for tech-driven social initiatives that drive positive change. He enjoys exploring emerging technological trends, fostering innovative thinking within his network, and advocating for solutions that combine technological advancement with meaningful societal impact.
190 articles published by this author
Digital competency management
Paper records and spreadsheets stop coping at scale. Digital competency management runs the whole process in connected software,...
17.06.2026 | 5 min read
Competency-based performance management
Traditional reviews ask whether someone hit their targets. Competency-based performance management asks a sharper question: can this person...
12.06.2026 | 7 min read
How to implement competency management in your business
An auditor asks who’s signed off to run the line, and you have an hour to prove it....
08.06.2026 | 13 min read
Competency management: The complete guide
Learn what competency management is, how it differs from skills management, the types of competency models, and how...
28.05.2026 | 13 min read
What is a skills inventory? How to build one that reflects reality
A skills inventory is only useful if it reflects reality, and most don’t. This guide covers what a...
30.04.2026 | 7 min read
Learning and Development Strategy: A Practical Guide for 2026
A learning and development strategy is not a training schedule. It is a business case for closing specific...
28.04.2026 | 9 min read
Job skills assessment: How to evaluate workforce capability objectively
Job skills assessment covers two different use cases: screening candidates before hiring, and measuring the capability of your...
26.04.2026 | 8 min read
How to build an employee development plan people actually follow
Learn what an employee development plan is, why most fail, and how to build one with examples for...
20.04.2026 | 7 min read
Certification tracking software: What it must do and why spreadsheets fail
Certification tracking software automates expiry alerts, audit trails, and compliance evidence. See what it must do and why...
16.04.2026 | 7 min read