Rinke Zonneveld will join the Supervisory Board of the University of Twente with effect from 1 January. This has been decided by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Robbert Dijkgraaf. The appointment is for a period of four years. He succeeds Joep van Beurden, who had been part of the Supervisory Board since 1 January 2016.
About Rinke Zonneveld
Since September 2022, Rinke Zonneveld has been CEO of Invest-NL, the national finance and development institution. Invest-NL was established to finance and realise major societal transitions and ensure a better investment climate for innovative companies.
Rinke began his career at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, where his positions included director of Industrial Policy a.i. and director of Entrepreneurship. In late 2013, he became the founding director of InnovationQuarter, the regional development company for Zuid-Holland. In recent years, he has held many supervisory, managerial and advisory roles at knowledge institutions, campus organisations, innovation programmes and in the financial sector, among others.
Rinke Zonneveld (19 January 1971) graduated as a development economist from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and completed postgraduate studies at, among others, the Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael and Harvard Kennedy School (Cambridge US).
Role of universities
Rinke Zonneveld on his appointment: “I believe in the crucial role universities have to play in finding the right answers and solutions to the major challenges facing our society today. From combating climate change to affordable healthcare and contributing to a fair, sustainable, inclusive and digital society: by training the brightest minds, conducting pioneering research and inspiring a new generation with an entrepreneurial attitude. That is why I am happy to fulfil the role of supervisor at the University of Twente.”
Sylvia Butzke, chair of the Supervisory Board, on the appointment: “We are delighted with Rinke Zonneveld joining the Supervisory Board. Rinkes' background and experience at the intersection of business, government, and the knowledge sector are a valuable addition to our Board. Rinke brings a large network among policymakers in the Netherlands and a solid financial background. I am convinced that, based on his vision on the role of universities and his open and inquisitive attitude, Rinke will make a substantial contribution to our university. We wish him every success and joy in this new role.”
About UT’s Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board is tasked with supervising the board and management of the university as a whole, ensuring compliance with current legal regulations and advising the Executive Board. It consists of five persons. The Board also comprises Ir. S. (Sylvia) Butzke (chairman), Prof.dr.-ing. M. (Matthias) Wessling, Ir. N. (Nienke) Boersma and Prof.dr. J.L.L. (Jan) Kimpen. The Board would like to thank Joep van Beurden for his great commitment over the past eight years.
