Royal Van Oord NV is set to nominate Govert van Oord as its new CEO. The formal announcement is slated for Van Oord’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on April 11, 2024.
The impending transition marks a significant shift in leadership within the Van Oord family, with Govert van Oord poised to steer the company into its fifth generation. Having been an integral part of Van Oord since 2002, Govert brings a wealth of experience, having contributed to the company’s success in diverse global markets such as the Middle East, Spain, and Brazil. Currently serving as the Managing Director of the Dredging & Infra Business Unit, the 53-year-old executive is an alumnus of Delft, where he studied civil engineering, and holds an MBA from IMD in Switzerland.
The outgoing CEO, Pieter van Oord, has led Van Oord for over 15 years and dedicated a remarkable 30 years to the company. Pieter will transition to the Supervisory Board of Van Oord at a later date. Simultaneously, he is set to be nominated by the Supervisory Board of Schiphol NV as the new CEO of Schiphol, a move applauded as a testament to his leadership acumen.
The shift in leadership comes as a recognition of Pieter’s pivotal role in transforming Van Oord from a dredging-focused entity to a multifaceted maritime contractor. Under Pieter’s guidance, the company has successfully positioned itself in the Offshore Energy sector, contributing significantly to climate adaptation and energy transition.
In a statement, the Supervisory Board expressed gratitude to Pieter for his unwavering commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, noting the societal significance and challenges associated with the new role at Schiphol. The board also expressed confidence in Govert van Oord, anticipating a seamless transition and the continuation of Van Oord’s legacy.