Winner of the European CTO of the year announced

Martin Curley of Intel Corporation, Marcel Wubbolts of Royal DSM and Jonathan O’Halloran of QuantuMDx are today awarded as European CTOs (Chief Technology Officers) of the Year. All three are inspiring leaders who have paid special attention to sustainability and the creation of strong and broad technology collaboration communities. Based on their foresighted technology leadership, Europe has reached the forefront in three very different industries.

Since the founding of Intel Labs Europe, Curley has helped increase sixfold the number of Intel researchers in Europe from 800 to over 4500, and more than doubled the number of European labs to over 45. “Through the inspired technical leadership Curley has provided, Intel researchers in Europe have made a number of significant contributions to Intel Future Technologies”, says Richard Parker of Rolls-Royce, jury member and European CTO of the Year 2014.

Wubbolts has laid the foundation for the growing number of bio-based manufacturing processes and has a central role in in Royal DSM, a company that over the past two decades has transformed itself completely from a petrochemical to a life and materials sciences company active in health, nutrition and materials and a leading biotech player. “The frontrunner development and commercialization of lignocellulosic ethanol technology is only one very relevant example of many in which Wubbolts is intimately involved. His enthusiasm and drive for science and sustainable innovation for society is an inspiration for many”, praises Gert-Jan Gruter of Avantium, jury member and European CTO of the Year 2014 in SME category.

The SME category winner, O’Halloran of QuantuMDx, has developed a technology that is expected to change the face of healthcare globally and save millions of lives. “O’Halloran has unlocked robust and affordable solutions for medical diagnostics for massive application. Small seeds pave the way to future and shake the giants’ certitudes”, summarises Léopold Demiddeleer, Founder & Administrator of TechBridgeOne S.P.R.L., former New Business Development Director of Solvay S.A, and a jury member.

“What a challenge this year to select the winners… Europe is alive and still shapes innovation at large and small size!”, says Demiddeleer. The international jury is comprised of industry experts, chaired by former CTO of Nokia, Prof. Yrjö Neuvo. They had the challenging task of evaluating dozens of excellent candidates representing successful companies and industries to find persons who are the most inspiring leaders, foresighted technology managers and contribute to the development and sustainability of their industries, and to society at large. “The large corporation category saw numerous excellent candidates, leading the jury to the decision to award two equally brilliant technology leaders”, explains Prof. Neuvo.

“The European CTO of the Year Award is a unique way to recognize outstanding individuals whose vision and passion have made a big difference in keeping their companies at the forefront of innovation. All the winners have shown exemplary leadership as technology managers, we’re happy and proud to recognize them for their impressive accomplishments.”, states Carlos Härtel, jury member and Managing Director Europe at GE Global Research.

European CTO of the Year is the leading European award honouring excellence in technology and innovation leadership, awarded by EIRMA (European Industrial Research Management Association) and Spinverse (Nordic leader in innovation consulting). The concept is Pan-European and, as Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission says: “Europe needs to celebrate those who advance technology and innovate. Initiatives like the “CTO of the year award” are very welcome as they lead to role models and further strengthen innovation in Europe”.