The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
Innovation executive, expert in the development of a circular economy, and in (biobased) plastics. My passion is to drive relevant innovation, both on a strategic and a practical level. I have been bringing my creativity and (design) thinking to the forefront of innovation in many early stage companies and upcoming markets, such as (bio)plastics, electronics, mobile telecoms, internet, robotics, or medtech. After 25 years in corporate marketing and management functions (DSM, Philips, Orange, WPP) I applied my broad international experience on innovations that drive the transition to a circular economy. To achieve such transition we need to redesign not only our products, services and business models, but also the way we work together and create real wellbeing. It has been a fascinating expedition, from the moment I started this endeavour, more than 15 years ago, until now: from fuzzy concepts through highly creative idealistic companies into practical scalable solutions and their financing. I currently lead the biobased and circular development activities of Invest-NL, the Dutch State investment organisation, where many aspects of innovation come together in a very relevant societal role. My mission is to forge partnerships across business, government, and finance to create impactful investment opportunities that drive circularity. My team's dedication to this cause has enabled the Dutch industry to secure over 500 million euros in growth subsidies, showcasing our alignment with the organization's vision and my commitment to bringing diverse, transformative perspectives to the table. Leading the Biobased and Circular Economy team, we've developed new financial instruments tailored to circularity and supported businesses and governments in their transition. Our research on roadblocks in the circular economy has led to many published insights, notably on financing circular initiatives. Leveraging my expertise in plastics, recycling, and product development, we've cultivated a robust Circular practice focused on materials and product sectors, signifying a strategic approach to fostering innovation and business growth within the circular landscape.
Created and lead a team of experts that forms a crucial link between strategy, innovation and practical application, driving circularity in a highly complex and dynamic context. We bring together business, government and finance towards (investment) opportunities that propel the circular economy forward. We develop investment opportunities; new financing instruments to cater for circular requirements; and we support businesses and governments in their transition to a circular economy. We helped Dutch industry to obtain over 500 mln€ growth subsidies in 2023. We research typical roadblocks for the transition to a circular economy, and published our findings, for example in - Financing the circular economy, including business models, accountancy; - Circular plastics; - Biobased materials; - Critical Raw Materials; - Biobased building; - Textiles; - Electronics. I researched the challenges of Circular Venture Building and co-authored innovative papers on the subject; and act as expert on biobased and circular topics for government institutions, advisory boards and companies.
Invest-NL is a Dutch impact investor. Invest-NL invests public capital in innovative companies and value chains that enable the transition to a carbon neutral and circular economy. I developed a Circular practice, with a strong focus on materials (plastics, biomaterials, critical raw materials) and on specific product sectors (plastics applications, recycling, building and mobility).
The mission of Cradle Consult is to help people and companies succeed in endeavours that deliver on the promise of a circular economy. Projects included the creation of a valorisation team at The Ocean Cleanup, developing a robotics consulting practice for TU Delft, development of consumer health robots, developing intelligent drug delivery devices, developing green loyalty systems or driving the development of community solar systems. I work as consultant and as interim manager for innovative corporate, startups, scale-ups and NGO’s. Experience covers most aspects of a circular economy, strategic and practical. Specific knowledge of plastics and -recycling, product design and development, robotics and BtB marketing. Born systemic and design thinker, I like concrete results that delight end customers. I coached and served at the board of startups in soft- and hardware.
The Ocean Cleanup develops technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastics. With my team of experts in recycling, materials, design, development and business we created new materials and new products from these vintage plastics, on an industrial scale. Companies and research organisations across the world helped us to develop the best ways to valorize and recycle all the materials harvested. We explored and tested a broad range of applicable technologies, from mechanical and chemical recycling to pyrolysis and other waste-to-energy methods. Designers and developers helped us to create products that are too nice to throw away... so more is to come. Fascinating stuff!
Created a team to valorize the harvested ocean materials, in order to finance the operations. Developed a number of business cases (in plastics, services, data and others) to drive future revenues.
Member of the Advisory Board of this software company specialized in educative test systems.
Research International is one of the top tier international market research agencies, part of WPP. RI Benelux dellivered quantitative and qualitative market research and innovation services to global corporates such as Unilever, Philips, KPN, Orange, Coca Cola, and many others.