Tys van Elk makes move to VDL and steps down as director of LIOF as of 1 September
After six successful years, Tys van Elk will step down as director of LIOF as of 1 September in order to set up VDL's Mobility Innovation Center in Born. As director of LIOF, he led the transformation of LIOF into a transparent and accessible organization focused on entrepreneurship in a sustainable Limburg economy. LIOF now supports more than 350 Limburg-based companies a year in achieving their circularity, energy, health, and digitalization ambitions. LIOF's Supervisory Board is the process of finding a successor.
Taking up the role of Managing Director in 2017, Tys led the transformation of LIOF into a modern, transparent, and more accessible organization for entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, LIOF grew from 45 to over 70 employees and began implementing projects not only in Limburg but also in the Euregion with partners from Germany and Belgium, such as with NRW.BANK and LRM.
Tys stood at the cradle of high-impact, regional initiatives, such as MedLim, a startup programme with Medtronic and the Brightlands campus, and Medace, a clean room concept for startups. In addition, under his leadership, LIOF attracted national projects such as Green Chemistry, New Economy together with Chemelot Circular Hub and Brightsite, and the Einstein Telescope where LIOF is leading valorization, which could have enormous impact on the region. Together with the Province of Limburg, major programmes and funds such as the Limburg Startup Capital Fund and LimburgToekomstbestendig (LimburgFutureproof) have been developed and implemented.
In addition, LIOF has embarked on a new strategic course focused on transitions in energy, circularity, health, and digitalization. Virtually all support projects and a large portion of investments in Limburg SMEs are currently focused on these high-impact transitions in order to create a more sustainable economy together with Limburg-based companies..
Tys van Elk: ‘Looking back on my period at LIOF, we have achieved a lot and inspired both our stakeholders and our clients to make an impact. Together with entrepreneurs and network partners, we are now actively working on the future of Limburg! The organization as a whole is also ready for the future, having gained a position as a valuable and impactful partner in the Limburg economy. This is thanks to the shareholders Province of Limburg and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, LIOF’s partners, and especially the Limburg-based entrepreneurs and the employees of LIOF for their tremendous commitment and trust. Without them, these developments would never have been possible.
Starting in September, I will be involved in setting up the Mobility Innovation Centre (MIC), part of VDL Groep, an industrial family business in the high-end manufacturing industry. The MIC brings together various sustainable mobility solutions so that it can become an even broader partner for sustainable mobility. In addition to assembly solutions in e-mobility, the MIC is works together with its partners to develop activities that are in line with VDL Groep's broad mobility strategy: design, electrification, connectivity, autonomous driving, and services.’
Rob van Leen, chairman of the Supervisory Board: ‘On behalf of the Supervisory Board, we would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Tys for the developments he has taken LIOF through. Under his leadership, LIOF has changed from a sector-oriented to a transition-oriented organization. We now have a strong but also approachable organization that makes a real impact. Tys has shown himself to be a determined leader who connects with partners in Limburg, the Netherlands, and beyond.’
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