Tata Steel Nederland terminated the contract of its newly appointed Director of Sustainability and Communications, Donald Pols, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The decision followed disclosures by NRC about Pols' past leadership role in a far-right student movement in South Africa that campaigned against the African National Congress during the apartheid transition.
>>> AMC Sets Premiere Dates for Walking Dead Spinoffs, Final Season Confirmed
Pols had just assumed his corporate executive responsibilities earlier this week, moving from his previous role as director of the environmental organization Milieudefensie.
His transition from climate activist to industrial executive had already sparked public debate.
The Management Board of Tata Steel Nederland stated: “De Raad van Bestuur van Tata Steel Nederland heeft vanochtend besloten om niet door te gaan met Donald Pols als Chief Sustainability Officer en Directeur Communicatie.
De afgelopen dagen is gebleken dat er aanvullende informatie over zijn verleden bekend is geworden, informatie die ons heeft geraakt en die niet eerder met het bedrijf is gedeeld.”
>>> Owners Suspect Arson After Racist Graffiti Found on Burned Restaurant
The board expressed dissatisfaction with the transparency of background information provided during recruitment.
Prior to his dismissal, Pols' appointment drew criticism from environmental groups. Fossielvrij NL Director Renske Wienen called the dual sustainability and public relations role greenwashing.
Tata Steel had stated the position aimed to protect corporate social acceptance.
>>> Environment Canada Issues Second Consecutive Frost Warning for Nova Scotia
In a prior interview with Nederlands Dagblad, Pols defended his ability to influence corporate policy from within, saying: “Ik wil de critici de komende tijd graag hun ongelijk bewijzen.”
