The Economic Board

The Economic Board is a driver of innovation in the region of Arnhem – Nijmegen, with Wageningen. As a Triple Helix collaboration among government, knowledge institutes and the business community, we encourage and connect economic activity and innovations in the key sectors of Food, Health and Energy and their cross-overs. We communicate about the exceptional potential of this region and we connect parties.

We can provide information about the innovative strength and regional economy and on subsidies and permits. Furthermore, we encourage (international) parties to get to know our region and we use our vast network to bring parties into contact with each other. Get in touch.

Members of The Economic Board

The members of The Economic Board come from education, government and the business community. As a whole, they have an extensive and unique network not only in the region of Arnhem – Nijmegen, and Wageningen, but also throughout the Netherlands and beyond. We would like to introduce them to you:

Hubert Bruls

Hubert Bruls

Chair The Economic Board and mayor Municipality Nijmegen

Hubert Bruls is chair of The Economic Board. As mayor of Nijmegen he has access to the political network in the region and in the Netherlands. Nijmegen is the 2018 European Green Capital which earns it attention from international and national business communities.  
Toon van Asseldonk

Toon van Asseldonk

Mayor Municipality Overbetuwe

Toon van Asseldonk is mayor of the Municipality of Overbetuwe. He has a rich past in the Dutch business community and is involved in regional partnerships.
Kees Boele

Kees Boele

Chair executive board HAN

Dr Kees Boele has been chair of the executive board of the HAN (HAN University of Applied Sciences of Arnhem and Nijmegen) since December 2012. Kees studied economics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, where he obtained his PhD.
Peter van Dongen

Peter van Dongen

Chair of the executive board Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences

Peter van Dongen is chair of the executive board of the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. From his position at Van Hall Larenstein, as one of the most sustainable universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands and with its corresponding profiling, Van Dongen contributes to the sharp profiling...
Ben Geerdink

Ben Geerdink

Chair of the executive board of Rijn IJssel

In his role as chair of the executive board of Rijn IJssel College, Ben Geerdink is committed to educating genuine professionals. He sees the social task of Rijn IJssel to educate students sustainably: to a position in today and tomorrow’s employment markets and for active participation in society. Together with...
Leon van Halder

Leon van Halder

Chair of the board of directors Radboudumc

Leon van Halder is chair of the board of directors of the Radboudumc. He has a long history in healthcare, both in politics and in the professional field. The Radboudumc strives to lead the way in developing innovative, sustainable and affordable healthcare.
Marcel Hielkema

Marcel Hielkema

Executive director Dirkzwager Advocaten & Notarissen and chair of VNO-NCW Gelderland

Marcel Hielkema is executive director of Dirkzwager Advocaten & Notarissen and chair of VNO-NCW Gelderland employers’ organisation. In this capacity, Hielkema is a strong link to the business community in Gelderland.
Ron König

Ron König

Alderman Municipality of Arnhem

Ron König is alderman for the Municipality of Arnhem and his responsibilities include the Economic Affairs, Education and Sustainability portfolios. With the programme ‘Made in Arnhem’, the Municipality of Arnhem focuses on green, creative and entrepreneurial organisations.
Monique Noomen

Monique Noomen

CEO Eiffel

Monique Noomen is CEO of Eiffel, a corporate service provider offering solutions in the fields of Legal, Finance and Process. Noomen is closely involved with educational institutes.  
Edwin de Rooij

Edwin de Rooij

CEO Synthon

Edwin de Rooij is the deputy CEO of Synthon, an international pharmaceutical company specialised in developing and producing innovative medicines.
Michiel Scheffer

Michiel Scheffer

Deputy of the province of Gelderland

Michiel Scheffer is a deputy of the province of Gelderland and representative of the EUREGIO Rijn-Waal. The province of Gelderland has various programmes for innovative and green companies.
René Verhulst

René Verhulst

Mayor of the Municipality of Ede

René Verhulst is mayor of the Municipality of Ede. Ede is part of the FoodValley Region, a first-class European region and international home base for companies and knowledge and research institutions focusing on sustainable and healthy food and heathy people.
Toni Versluijs

Toni Versluijs

Director NXP Semiconductors Netherlands

Toni Versluijs is the director of NXP Semiconductors Netherlands, which also has a branch in Nijmegen. NXP is the fifth largest semiconductor company in the world.
Daniël Wigboldus

Daniël Wigboldus

Chair of the board of governors of Radboud University

Daniël Wigboldus is chair of the board of governors of Radboud University in Nijmegen. Wigboldus is closely involved with the development of and innovations in education.

About the region

The Arnhem – Nijmegen region consists of eighteen municipalities working closely together on various spearheads, such as sustainability, the housing market, the economy and logistics. The region’s top sectors are Food, Health and Energy. The urban network Arnhem – Nijmegen is an economic powerhouse in the east of the Netherlands.

Due to its favourable location, only one and a half hours drive from the Randstad and from the Ruhr, the Arnhem – Nijmegen region forms an important link to Europe and in the international competitive position of the Netherlands. The region is in a favourable location surrounded by roads, rail and water. The international airports of Schiphol and Dusseldorf are easily accessible.

Throughout history, the region has demonstrated its strength to grow and further advance the region and the economy in the Netherlands. The highly-educated professional population and excellent infrastructure creates a good climate for businesses and employees to establish themselves here.

Contact

Should you like to know more about The Economic Board, or you wish to connect with the Arnhem – Nijmegen region or you have any other questions, please contact us.

Sigrid Helbig

Sigrid Helbig

Director of The Economic Board.

Sigrid Helbig is director of The Economic Board. She has vast experience in the services sector. Helbig is committed to supporting women at the top of the Dutch business community. 
Emina Joosten Beslagic

Emina Joosten Beslagic

Programme manager The Economic Board

Emina Joosten Beslagic works as programme manager for The Economic Board, appointed by the Municipality of Nijmegen. She is the right person for more information for a smooth landing and about making contacts in the region.
Richard Dobbelmann

Richard Dobbelmann

Business associate The Economic Board

As business associate of The Economic Board, Richard Dobbelmann, like no other, knows his way round the business community in the region of Arnhem – Nijmegen, with Wageningen.