Marc Hendrikse, figurehead Holland High Tech, top sector High Tech Systems and Materials: "In our VISIE 2030 we focus on the major urgent transitions and key technologies. I am happy with this new configuration of our top team. Both Esther, with her experience and work in the field of circularity, and Guus, in the field of key technologies, will strengthen our top sector and the top team, which matches well with the current challenges we are facing. With the arrival of Tjerk, we again have a strong partner as a government representative in our top team."

Innovation on urgent transitions with deployment of key enabling technologies

From his new role as science representative for the top sector High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM), Guus Rijnders wants to give a push to research and innovation with the deployment of (key) technologies and materials.

Guus Rijnders, Professor of NanoElectronic Materials, University of Twente: "The collaboration between science and industry is the catalyst for innovation, in which curiosity paves the way for discoveries and collaboration builds the bridge to progress. Strong engagement and dependence in this collaboration is necessary to enable the promise of innovations and key technologies in technologically and socially urgent transitions. I want to work to further shape this commitment and collaboration, and thereby increase the impact of research and innovation in the Dutch economy and society."

Small and medium-sized enterprises as drivers of high-tech innovation

Esther Kersten has a clear vision when it comes to her new role as representative of small and medium-sized enterprises in the top sector. She wants to push for more opportunities for SMEs in the high-tech, materials and manufacturing industries with an emphasis on valorisation and the potential for a circular economy.

Esther Kersten, CEO and founder ImpactX: "I strongly believe in the power of the Dutch high-tech sector to bring a circular economy closer through innovation. In this transition, large companies, SMEs and knowledge institutions all play an important role. Cooperation within the chain must be given a high priority, because circularity precisely requires a supported approach throughout the chain. Furthermore, we are going to focus on start-ups and scale-ups, which are important for technical innovations and breakthroughs. For this we need to further develop our strong ecosystem. As a member of the HTSM top team, I look forward to working on these key points."

Government as a driver of innovation with impact

As a government representative, Tjerk Opmeer values the importance of the high-tech and materials sector in the government's (inter)national innovation policy.

Tjerk Opmeer, Director Innovation and Knowledge, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate: "I am very much looking forward to using the experience I have gained in implementing international innovation policy in recent years to deploy innovation even more in addressing the societal issues and urgent transitions we face. At the same time, we are working in the top sector High Tech Systems and Materials to achieve economic impact and so that we as the Netherlands can remain at the forefront of developments in the priority technologies we have defined in the National Technology Strategy."

Farewell to top team members

With the three new members of the top team taking office, it is also time to bid farewell to previous members who have made major contributions to developments within the top sector High Tech Systems and Materials during a turbulent period. At the end of 2023, three members stepped down:

• Jacquelien Scherpen (member top team since 2020), appointed rector magnificus and member of the Executive Board of the University of Groningen (RUG) in September 2023
• Arno van Mourik (member top team since 2019), director of Airborne
• Michiel Sweers (member top team since 2017), government representative

Marc Hendrikse, figurehead Holland High Tech: "Thanks to the great efforts of retiring members Jacquelien, Arno and Michiel, we were able to broaden the impact of the top sector High Tech Systems and in recent years. I am indebted and grateful to all of them."