CEO & Executive Advisor / IT Governance / Cybersecurity / Compliance
From the Royal Dutch Navy to international telecoms to board-level IT Governance and Cybersecurity compliance – 35+ years of experience trusted by boards, regulators and government stakeholders across the Caribbean and Europe.
Let's talkTranslating strategy into structure. Leveraging frameworks like CIS Controls v8.1, ISO 27001 and COBIT 2019, I help organizations establish clear accountability, policies and governance structures that align IT with business objectives.
Building resilient security postures. From NIS2 readiness to CIS Controls implementation – I work hands-on with your IT teams and report directly to the Board to embed effective cybersecurity governance and demonstrate measurable maturity improvements.
Prepared for the unexpected. I design and implement BCMS programs aligned with ISO 22301, built to withstand regulatory scrutiny – including audits by central banks and other supervisory authorities.
Know your risks, make informed decisions. Using ISO 31000 as a foundation, I help organizations identify, assess and manage IT-related risks in a structured, practical way – with clear reporting to board level.
Experienced executive leadership when you need it most. With a track record as CEO, General Manager and senior leader across telecoms, technology and services, I step in to provide direction, stability and momentum – whether bridging a leadership gap, driving a transformation or navigating a complex change.
I’m Gilbert de Bree, an executive leader and advisor based in Willemstad, Curaçao. With 35+ years of experience spanning the Royal Dutch Navy, international telecoms corporations, and IT Governance & Cybersecurity compliance supervision and implementation, I bring both strategic depth and operational credibility to every engagement.
Currently I serve as CEO of a Caribbean company, where my focus is on improving customer satisfaction, revenue growth and employee engagement. In parallel, through DiversIT.me, I act as IT Governance & Cybersecurity Advisor to a large pension fund, Board-level Cybersecurity Supervisor for a multi-label group operating in online, mobility and energy sectors – with obligations under NIS2, ISO 27001 and CIS Controls – Management Advisor to the Director of a Telecommunications service provider on Governance, IT Governance, key project delivery and regulatory communications, and advisor on IT Governance & Cybersecurity compliance supervision and implementation.
My broad sector experience – across regulated and non-regulated environments – is a key reason why directors and boards select me to lead compliance implementations. Having worked in several leadership roles myself, I understand the complexity of maintaining business strategy while meeting regulatory obligations – without making compliance a burden.
Ready to strengthen your organization’s IT governance, security or continuity? Let’s talk.