The Supervisory Board of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has appointed Koen Janssen as the new President of the Executive Board. He will start on March 1 and officially take over from Robert-Jan Smits on March 27. Currently, Janssen is the managing director of the Brightlands Materials Center (BMC), an international research institute created by TNO and the Limburg province. Prior to this, the polymer chemist with a PhD worked for 31 years at the chemical company DSM.
Leadership, innovation, and sustainability have been constant themes throughout Janssen's career (born 1964). The Belgian native earned his PhD in polymer chemistry at KU Leuven and has held several leadership positions at DSM since 1991, with a strong focus on materials research and developing sustainable concepts.
Starting in 2015, Janssen served as Global Vice President at DSM Dyneema for four years before moving to the United States, where he took on the role of Vice President for Innovation, RT&D and Sustainability at DSM Biomedical for three years. In 2022, Janssen opted for a position closer to his family and grandchildren. For the past two years, he has led the research center at BMC on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen.
In addition, he is actively involved in various consortia, steering committees, and research programs, such as Syschemiq (a European project for the circular plastics economy), Brightlands Circular Space (a co-creation center for circular plastics), and the R&D Hub for Plastic Waste Processing (an initiative from the World Economic Forum focused on the sustainability and optimization of plastic end-of-life processing).
Skilled leader with strategic insight
“We are extremely pleased to appoint Koen Janssen as the new President of the Executive Board,” says Peter Wennink, President of the TU/e Supervisory Board. “In our discussions with him, he demonstrated himself to be a skilled leader with strategic insight. With his experience, he will add significant value to the professionalization of the organization, with a strong focus on sustainability and the future of the next generation. We are confident that Janssen will be a strong and unifying TU/e President.”
The Supervisory Board also expresses its deep appreciation for the dedication and significant contributions of Robert-Jan Smits to TU/e, particularly his key role in building bridges between the university, the Brainport region, national politics, and Brussels. This has led to greater visibility in Europe and intensified collaboration with industry.
Uniting leadership qualities
Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts praises Janssen’s unifying leadership qualities. “He brings extensive governance experience and is a warm and open communicator. He listens carefully, with a focus on sustainability, impact, and always serving the organization. He is a perfect fit for this university. I look forward to working together with the new president .”
“I am honored to lead such a dynamic institution, renowned for its central role in the Brainport region, a globally leading high-tech ecosystem, and for its substantial contributions to society, along with a vibrant international community,” says Janssen. “I am excited to collaborate with my new colleagues to maximize impact in education, research, and valorization.”
This article was first published on 8 January by TU/e.
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