Cees de Visser new Director General NWO

15 December 2005

De Visser's appointment marks the definite filling of the gap that arose due to the death of Prof. L.A.A.M. (Leo) Coolen in April 2005. NWO is looking forward to De Visser's leadership. His arrival virtually coincides with the launch of NWO's new strategy for the period 2007-2010.

Cees de Visser: 'NWO is the organisation which must bring the Netherlands to the forefront of innovative research within Europe. That really appeals to me. In my current position I emphasise the importance of new drugs for society; a drug is the product of acquired knowledge. Having started in the world of science I moved to my present position in the world of entrepreneurs and I will now become an entrepreneur for science.'

Cees de Visser (59) has an inspiring vision on scientific policy in the broadest sense, in which he values a distinctive and innovative approach. He has demonstrated his ability to lead a complex organisation that serves many interests, as a well-integrated entity. De Visser is a bridge builder and leader. His style of leadership is characterised by a clear focus on internal and external customers.

Cees de Visser trained as a chemist. He obtained his doctorate in this discipline at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and worked there for almost 10 years as a scientific and later senior scientific researcher in the Faculty of Chemistry. De Visser then focused his attention on the medical-pharmaceutical world. In 1980 he became director/manager of Internal Medicine at Leiden University Medical Center before becoming Director General of the Medicines Evaluation Board.

From 1992 to 2001 De Visser was Director General of the Netherlands Standardisation Institute in Delft. Under his leadership the Institute underwent a large-scale reorganisation and developed into a market-oriented enterprise. Due to his position, De Visser was also a member of the board of CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) and the Dutch delegation leader for ISO (International Standards Organisation).

Since 2001 De Visser has been Director General of Nefarma. His wider responsibilities include being a member of the Advisory Council on Health Research and a member of the Governing Board of The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers. At an international level, De Visser is a member of the board of EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) and the board of IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing Associations).

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For further information please contact

• Mrs. Dominique de Vet (Head Information and Communication Department, NWO)
• t: +31 (0)70 344 05 45
• d.devet@nwo.nl