Brussels, Belgium
15 April 2008
Following the retirement of Dr. Johan Vanhemelrijck on July 1st
2008, Willy De Greef (53) will become the new Secretary General
of EuropaBio. Willy De
Greef brings to EuropaBio a unique combination of biotechnology
experience, European and international policy understanding and
managerial skills.
Willy was involved in setting up biotechnology policies and
regulations both at the European and International levels, and
has represented private and public sector organisations. During
his career Willy has been involved not only in the developed
world, but also has in-the-field experience in the developing
world. His career has given him insights into the effects of
policies on regions throughout the globe.
After four and half years at the helm of EuropaBio, Johan
Vanhemelrijck has decided to retire as Secretary General. His
tenure oversaw a major boost in EuropaBio activities, and a
doubling of its membership base as well as an increased
awareness and acceptance of life science solutions among the
public and policy makers. Biotechnology now generates almost 2%
of EU gross value added, and the innovations based on the new
knowledge of life sciences are improving the sustainability of
society, quality of life and longevity.
According to Willy De Greef: "One of the major challenges for
real innovation is to overcome society's fear of change and
convince decision makers to welcome innovative improvements. If
we can be successful in building more confidence in the benefits
of biotechnology solutions to solve old problems, Europe will
again play its leadership role in improving the lives of its
citizens."
In welcoming the new Secretary General, Steen Riisgaard,
President and CEO of Novozymes said: "We are delighted to have a
highly experienced and deeply knowledgeable executive to lead
EuropaBio and we are confident that Willy will bring his
enthusiastic and dynamic leadership to build further on the
strengths of the association. On a personal level I was sad to
learn of Johan's decision to retire. He has done a great job in
making the association well known and well respected and I would
like to thank him for his contribution."
EuropaBio became one of the leading Brussels based European
associations since its creation in 1996 under the leadership of
its former Secretary Generals.
"The members and myself have full confidence that Willy will
carry on growing the association and enable the biotechnology
industry to continue to play a major role in the innovation and
competitiveness debate," said Johan Vanhemelrijck. "I ask the
colleagues from the sector organisations and other trade bodies,
policy makers and stakeholders, regulators and politicians to
welcome Willy as they welcomed me four and a half years ago, and
to give him all the support they possibly can in his new
position. I would also like to thank all those who continue to
support EuropaBio, and to campaign for the universal use of
biotechnology in all parts of society, and I wish them well."
Willy De Greef is a plant biologist with extensive experience in
tropical crop breeding (through research management positions in
the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Cameroon) and in
technology transfer related to agricultural biotechnology. He
has been head of regulatory affairs for two biotechnology
leaders, Plant Genetic Systems in the 1980s, and Syngenta Seeds
from the late 1990s until 2003. He has been involved in the
policy and public debate around agricultural biotechnology
(OECD, UNIDO, Biodiversity Convention, Cartagena Biosafety
Protocol) and in the development of the regulatory framework
since 1986. He has contributed to the development of rational
regulatory frameworks for biotechnology for developing countries
and in capacity building for biotechnology researchers in the
developing world in biosafety assessment and regulatory
compliance. Recently he has been head of regulatory affairs and
new projects for D1 Oils Plant Science, a biofuel company.
EuropaBio is the European Association for Bioindustries,
solely and uniquely bringing together bioscience companies from
all fields of research and development, testing, manufacturing
and distribution of biotechnology products. It has 81 corporate
members operating worldwide, 5 associate members, 6 BioRegions
and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some
1800 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research.
Its mission is to promote an innovative and dynamic
biotechnology-based industry in Europe. |
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