Christiaan van den Berg

Head of Science & Technology Underwater Defence | TNO

Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands

About

I have a passion for technology, innovation, organisational change, security and sustainability. Mission Oriented Innovation is what drives me. I love to find new ways of working with excellent interdisciplinary teams. To go where no one has gone before. To build new collaborations, explore, envision, design, strategize and create. And make the world a slightly better place. In my work as Head of Science and Technology at TNO Defence Safety and Security, I concentrate on Underwater Defence. In my personal time I co-founded a sustainbility initiative in my neighborhood. In addition, I am an enthusiastic violinist and percussionst in several bands.

Experience

  • TNO (Full-time · 4 yrs 3 mos)
    • Head of Science & Technology
      Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

      As Head of Science & Technology at TNO, I am responsible for R&D-management in one of the Divisions at TNO Defence, Safety and Security. The division focusses on advancing innovation in underwater defence, from sensing to autonomous systems. With its its deep expertise in acoustics, it contributes to innovation in several high tech markets.

    • Program manager Sustainability & Circularity Transition Pathways
      Apr 2022 - Apr 2026 · 4 yrs 1 mo

      In my role as program and proposition manager, I was responsible for the strategy and alignment of TNO's work around the system transition on energy and circularity. For stakeholders such as policy makers at the Ministry Economic Affairs & Climate Policy we develop applicable knowledge to support the energy transition and transition towards circularity. Established the Knowledge Coalition Energy Transition, with PBL, CPB, CBS, RVO and TNO.

  • Program manager Technology at Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid
    Jan 2019 - Mar 2022 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    (Detached from TNO) As program manager I was engaged in developing the Science and Technology function of the Ministry. We built capability to follow and understand technological development, in order to act in time. Be it to develop new ways of working with for example robotics with police, or new policies for responsible implementation of the Metaverse in society.

  • Architect #INNOvember at Rijksoverheid
    Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr

    INNOvember was a month long Innovation event at the Dutch national government. As ‘architect’ of INNOvember, I have been involved from the start to conceive the total program concept and structure, and its programming. I had special attention for the the kick-off and closure events. INNOvember brought over 100 events by and for public servants, and resulted in many connections, awareness and commitments. In collaboration with a great team at the #Rijksinnovatiecommunity

  • TNO (14 yrs)
    • Program manager Secure Society
      Jan 2017 - Feb 2019 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      As Program Manager Secure Society, I was responsible for managing the knowledge development in the Secure Society program. In the program, some 15 National and 10 European projects cover the full width of TNO's knowledge base in the Public Safety domain. Beneficiaries are among others the Dutch National Police, Ministry of Security and Justice, Safety Areas and Municipalities. https://www.tno.nl/nl/aandachtsgebieden/defensie-veiligheid/roadmaps/nationale-veiligheid/

    • Program Manager RTI-lab
      Jan 2015 - Feb 2019 · 4 yrs 2 mos

      Together with the Dutch National Police and The Hague Security Delta, I have established an open innovation centre revolving around Real Time Intelligence. In the so called 'RTI-lab', we bring together a relevant network of researchers, professionals and companies to establish a thought leadership position. Together we experiment with new technologies and new ways of working to assess added value for security operations.

    • Team lead Collaborative Intelligence
      Jan 2010 - Apr 2018 · 8 yrs 4 mos

      I led a team of eleven researchers and consultants in the field of collaborative intelligence. I was responsible for the team strategy, alignment of propositions and knowledge development. In addition I took care of a set of operational and hr-related aspects.

  • Consultant at TNO Strategie Technologie en Beleid
    Jan 2004 - Mar 2005 · 1 yr 3 mos

    During my period at TNO Strategy Technology and Policy, I worked on policy advice and strategic concepts on sustainability.