Alexander von Gabain to succeed Martin Schuurmans as EIT Chairman on 15 September 2011

During its meeting of 16 February 2011, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Governing Board unanimously elected Alexander von Gabain as its next Chairman. Alexander von Gabain will succeed Martin Schuurmans, first Chairman of the EIT Governing Board, when his term ends on 15 September 2011.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been elected Chairman by my fellow Governing Board members. I am very much looking forward to taking on this challenge with my colleagues at the EIT headquarters and together continue to shape our first three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)”, says Alexander von Gabain. “After successfully seed-investing into the first three KICs, the next four years will be decisive for the EIT as we will present and start implementing our first Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA). The SIA will outline the EIT’s future priorities and provide the basis for further support from the European Union in order for the EIT to become a significant driver of intelligent and sustainable growth and competitiveness in Europe. I will try to do my very best to live up to the standards set by our first Chairman, Martin, whose outstanding leadership has been pivotal for the success to implement the EIT and its first three KICs in record time”.

“I am extremely pleased that Alexander will succeed me as Chairman of the EIT Governing Board in September”, says Martin Schuurmans. “With his drive and entrepreneurial experience within the knowledge triangle and under his leadership, I am convinced that the EIT will continue to move forward and increase its impactful investment into Europe’s underused potential as an innovative continent.”

Full press release