The work of COGEM is supported by a professional secretariat. Every subcommittee is supported by a scientific secretary. The secretary is a specialist in the field of its subcommittee. Besides preparing the meetings and taking the minutes, the secretary acts as the ears and eyes of the subcommittee.

In addition to the secretaries there are staff members who are employed on projects at hand. They are not allied with specific subcommittees and are generalists. Both secretaries and staff members are involved in preparing advices and reports.
The secretariat is headed by the executive director (general secretary). He is among other things in charge of the assignment of duties, preparing of the estimate and keeping of the budget, the research programme and supervision of the advisory process. He is also the secretary of the COGEM Board.

Staff members

• Frank van der Wilk PhD, General secretary / Executive Director
• Clara Posthuma PhD, Scientific secretary Medical and Veterinary Aspects, Deputy Executive Director
• Max van Hooren PhD, Scientific secretary Agricultural Aspects
• Martine Boonk MA PhD, Scientific secretary Ethics and Societal Aspects
• Lisette van der Knaap PhD, Scientific staff
• Irene van Grinsven PhD, Scientific staff
• Iris Riemersma PhD, Scientific staff
• Eveline Ultee PhD, Scientific staff
• Astrid Schulting, Office coordinator