Three New Members Nominated to TNO Board of Directors

TNO has nominated three new members – Ms. F. Marring, LLM CA; Prof. J.T.F. Keurentjes; and Mr W. Nagtegaal – for appointment by royal decree as members of TNO’s Board of Management. The three new members of TNO’s Board of Management will take up their new posts on 1 February 2014.

These appointments conclude a number of changes to the Board of Management. Dr. C.M. Hooymans stepped down in October 2013. J.H.J Mengelers has accepted the post of president of the Executive Board of Eindhoven University of Technology, with effect from March 1, 2014. It was also decided that the Board of Management should be expanded to include a chief financial officer (CFO).

The composition of the new Board of Management is as follows: Mr J.W. Kelder as acting chairman (until a successor can be found for Mengelers), Prof. J.T.F. Keurentjes as chief scientific officer (CSO), W. Nagtegaal as chief operations officer, and Marring as CFO.

“I am delighted that we are in the fortunate position of being able to expand the team making up TNO’s Board of Management with such a rich diversity of experience and expertise,” Dr. C.A. Linse, chairman of TNO’s Supervisory Board, said. “TNO is preparing for a change of course. The new members’ experience and insights will be a major factor in ensuring that this course brings in a successful harvest of innovative solutions for the Netherlands.”
Marring’s appointment as director of finance and facilities at TNO dates back to last October. As chief financial officer (CFO), she will now carry out these duties at the level of the Board of Management. Marring has held posts in a range of large international companies, including Iglo-Ola (-Mora) group (chief accountant), Unilever NV/PLC (head corporate financial accounts and mergers and aquisitions manager), and Royal Wessanen NV (corporate financial director). Since 2005, she has worked as an independent interim manager.

Prof. Keurentjes will carry out the duties of CSO on TNO’s Board of Management. Prof. Keurentjes is currently corporate director technology and open innovation at AkzoNobel. He is also a part-time professor of process and equipment design at Eindhoven University of Technology’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry.

Prof. Keurentjes has had many years of experience in the field of strategic technology policy and development, and in the management of R&D programs focusing on innovation and valorization. Prof. Keurentjes’ relationship with TNO goes back many years, stemming from strategic cooperation between TNO and AkzoNobel. Since 2011, Prof. Keurentjes has been a member of the Innovation Board of Sustainable Chemical Industry (one of TNO’s Fields of Innovation).

Nagtegaal had a successful career at the Ministry of Defence. From 2009 until his leave in August 2012, he held the rank of vice admiral and served as deputy commander of the armed forces. Nagtegaal’s relationship with TNO began when he served on the Defence Council, as director of defence policy and planning, from 2000 to 2005. Nagtegaal is also to take on the role of chairman of TNO’s Council for Defence Research.