Retirement Jan de Jeu: Board member from outside

On Friday 15 November 2019, Jan de Jeu has retired from his position in the Board of the University of Groningen after eight years in office. When Jan de Jeu was appointed, it was the first time that the UG broke the tradition of only recruiting board members from within the University. He was the first board member from the outside world, and formed a team together with the former President of the board Sibrand Poppema and Rector Magnificus Elmer Sterken.

De Jeu had a broad range of tasks and was Vice President of the Board, but he was mostly known as the person in charge of finances. With his analytical abilities, decision-making skills and persuasive power, he was an important member of one of the most decisive boards of the university of the last few decades and introduced a number of determining developments.

In his period in office, De Jeu had to face both highs and lows. He mentions the University’s 400th anniversary celebrations and the celebration of Ben Feringa’s Nobel Prize award in particular. ‘That was an absolute highlight. You don’t win this prize as a board member, of course, but it does reflect on the community to which you belong.’ Low point was the cancelling of plans for the establishment of a campus in China.

Hans Biemans has been appointed as the new member of the board as of 1 september.