The Economic Board

Lifeport’s strength lies in the links it forges between research institutions,
businesses and public authorities. The Economic Board is the driving force behind
that connection.

The leading network of numerous organisations, large and small, with whom we collaborate to promote broad prosperity and well-being in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region.

What does The Economic Board do?

The Economic Board is a triple helix cooperation between knowledge institutions, companies and governments. The Board includes 18 directors from these three sectors.

The Economic Board gives direction to the developments in Lifeport Region Arnhem Nijmegen by setting priorities and joining forces on them. The Economic Board also initiates and facilitates projects and programmes and attracts funding for them. Among other things by targeted lobbying in The Hague and Brussels.

The three central themes

The innovative priority sectors on which The Economic Board focuses within Lifeport are Energy, Health and High Tech. There are also four supporting themes: Smart Sustainability, AI, the Labour Market (Human Capital) and Food (as a crossover from the priority sectors).
The Economic Board brings coherence to these themes.

Making a difference together

The Economic Board is also committed to promoting the region as Lifeport: living healthily together, in a healthy environment, in a sustainable way.
We show the world the extent of the cutting-edge research being carried out here at universities and universities of applied sciences. And we provide a showcase for all the exceptional companies and organisations working towards a healthy and sustainable way of life.

Meet the board members

A team of 18 CEOs and top administrators from companies, knowledge institutes and governments in the region are at the heart of The Economic Board. Together, they set the strategic course and deploy their knowledge and extensive networks to realise Lifeport's ambitions. This benefits everyone within Lifeport.

Helga Witjes
Gedeputeerde Provincie Gelderland
Ahmed Marcouch
Mayor of Arnhem and Member of the DB and Vice Chairman of The Economic Board
Rob Verhofstad
Chairman Executive Board HAN University of Applied Sciences and member of DB The Economic Board
Huub Sanders
co-founder Byondis
Ilko Bosman
Chairman VNO-NCW Arnhem Nijmegen region and CFO Include Industries and member of DB The Economic Board
Jan van Iersel
Chairman Executive Board Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
Huub Hieltjes
Mayor of Duiven
Bertine Lahuis
Chairman Executive Board Radboudumc
Alexandra van Huffelen
Chairman Executive Board Radboud University and Chairman The Economic Board
Sander Hulsebos
CEO Hoogwegt Group B.V.
René Verhulst
Chair of the Foodvalley Region and Vice-Chair of the Foodvalley Economic Board
Peter van Mulkom
Chairman Executive Board ROC Nijmegen
Tobias van Elferen
Alderman of the Municipality of Nijmegen
John Kolthof
Chief Commercial Officer of CCV Group B.V.
Doeco Terpstra
Executive Director NXP Semiconductors Netherlands B.V.

Board members speak out

To all news

Project office

The staff at the project office form the day-to-day driving force behind The Economic Board. They work at strategic, tactical and operational levels to realise Lifeport’s ambitions. In doing so, they maintain networks and drive initiatives forward.
The team fosters links between research institutions, the business community and public authorities, laying the foundations for collaboration and partnerships. We do this not only in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region, but also in collaboration with other Dutch regions, Brussels and the Ruhr area.