Education Minister Gouke Moes has appointed Anton Pijpers and Sylvia van Es as members of TU/e's Supervisory Board (RvT) as of January 1, 2026. Pijpers, former president of the Executive Board of Utrecht University, will be the new chairman of the TU/e Supervisory Board.
Anton Pijpers
Anton Pijpers was President of the Executive Board of Utrecht University from 2017 to November of this year. He studied Veterinary Medicine in Utrecht, where he also obtained his PhD and became a professor in 1993. Between 2000 and 2009, he was general director of the Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren. Pijpers is known as a bridge builder with several ancillary functions. For example, he is a member of the Top Sector Life Sciences & Health steering group and was vice-chairman of the Economic Board Utrecht.
Sylvia van Es
Sylvia van Es has been President of Philips Netherlands since 2021. She is also Chief Privacy Officer of Philips worldwide. She has extensive knowledge on topics such as digitalization, cybersecurity, data and antitrust. At Philips, Sylvia has over 20 years of experience as legal counsel and Head of Legal for various areas of law within Philips. After graduating from the University of Amsterdam, she worked as a lawyer at Stibbe and Freshfields. In addition to her role at Philips, she is currently a member of the board of Brainport, FME, VNO-NCW and she is also a member of the Cybersecurity Council.
Executive experience
"It is great news that Anton Pijpers and Sylvia van Es are joining our Supervisory Board," says Koen Janssen, President of the Executive Board. "Anton has a lot of experience in academia and we already know him well from our collaboration in the EWUU alliance and the UNL Strategy, Public Affairs & Governance steering group. Sylvia has a wealth of managerial and international experience in the high-tech industry. As the Executive Board, we are very much looking forward to working together."
Farewell
Van Es and Pijpers succeed Peter Wennink and Louise Gunning, who were members of the Supervisory Board from 2016 and 2020 respectively. Wennink was chair of the Board from 2020.
Janssen: "We are very grateful to Peter and Louise for their exceptional commitment to TU/e. Not only have they dedicated themselves to the supervision of the university, but they have also tirelessly provided critical insights, offered help and contributed ideas. Their positive influence will continue to affect our organization for many years to come." TU/e put the two departing Supervisory Board members in the spotlight at the recent Holst Memorial Lecture .
As of January 1, TU/e's Supervisory Board will consist of Paul Doop, Mariëtte Hamer and Ineke Dezentjé Hamming-Bluemink, in addition to Pijpers and Van Es.
