11 April 2018 | Amsterdam, NL and Cambridge, UK
GÉANT is delighted to confirm Erik Huizer in his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following his appointment in July 2017 on an interim basis.
Erik Huizer has a long-standing involvement with the NREN community and took on the role of interim CEO for GÉANT in July 2017. Until then, he was CTO of SURFnet and a member of the GÉANT Association Board of Directors. Before SURFnet, Erik served as Managing Director for ICT at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Erik has fulfilled various board-level functions of Internet related organisations and for over 30 years has been involved in education and research networking, Internet standardisation and Internet governance. For his contributions to the Internet he was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2014.
An international search process was initiated in the summer of 2017, during which more than 60 candidates have been reviewed with the assistance of the executive search company, Harvey Nash plc.
Christian Grimm, Chair of the Board of Directors commented, “We are very pleased to announce that the GÉANT Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to appoint Erik Huizer as new permanent CEO of GÉANT, effective May 1st 2018. In his time as interim CEO of GÉANT Erik has proven his strong appreciation and support for the value GÉANT provides to the European research and education networking community. We know that GÉANT is facing exciting opportunities in the upcoming years and will need to prepare its future way through a highly dynamic European funding landscape. With these challenges and opportunities ahead, the Board believes Erik will provide the type of leadership that members, staff and the entire European research and education community expect and require. The GÉANT Board is looking forward to working with Erik and his executive team on a successful future for GÉANT.”
Commenting on the appointment, Erik Huizer added, “When I started at GÉANT I was very pleased to find a professional and dedicated organisation full with people who are passionate about their jobs and about serving the R&E community. The NREN community, of which GÉANT is part, is a wonderful community to work with. Many different cultures but with a common goal. I am honoured to be the CEO of GÉANT and I really look forward to continue working with all the people in this area.”
