Biography
With over 25 years at Shell, my career has been shaped by technical leadership, systems thinking, and a drive to push boundaries in the energy sector. I’ve worked across continents—from offshore platforms in the North Sea to floating LNG systems in Southeast Asia—always integrating disciplines and bringing people together through engineering.
I started out in Aberdeen, flying by helicopter to offshore installations as a process engineer. I had the opportunity to contribute to the start-up and commissioning of Shearwater—a technically demanding field with extreme pressure and temperature conditions—working on offshore gas treatment, training operators on simulators, and troubleshooting transient process instabilities using dynamic simulation and new technologies.
Later, in Borneo (Miri, Malaysia), I supported upstream facilities delivering natural gas to Malaysia LNG. With over 250 cargoes a year heading to Japan and Korea, I optimized gas turbine-driven compressors and dehydration systems, including (subsea) tie backs that expanded connectivity across offshore infrastructure.
Things got really interesting when Shell brought US deepwater floating technology to Malaysia. I led systems engineering for the Gumusut-Kakap deepwater facility—an enormous integration challenge spanning drilling, subsea, metocean, pipelines, and the topsides disciplines. That’s where I truly learned systems engineering from my U.S. colleagues, ensuring the whole facility met international standards for license to operate. Despite a rocky construction phase, it’s been producing reliably ever since.
I was seconded to ENI for the Kashagan oilfield in Kazakhstan, overseeing debottlenecking and HVAC-controlled equipment rooms in a harsh Caspian environment. Then I pivoted to floating LNG development, leading multi-billion-dollar projects like Prelude and the fully integrated Abadi FLNG with Japanese partner INPEX. Based in Indonesia and closely connected to stakeholders in Jakarta, Abadi didn’t get sanctioned, partly due to political shifts, but it remains one of the most robust technical designs I’ve ever worked on.
For four years I focused on risk and governance, serving as audit manager for Shell’s Integrated Gas and New Energies. I presented findings directly to Shell’s Executive Committee members, and completed an MBA in 2019, specializing in the energy transition. More recently, I’ve led Systems Engineering across Shell capital projects—developing global SE processes, building the Shell Requirements Database, and serving as community lead for Engineering Management. I also created and stewarded Shell’s Engineering Manager skill pool worldwide.
As INCOSE-NL President, I’ve championed industry collaboration, founding a Special Interest Group on the energy transition with the Dutch applied research institute and key grid operators. INCOSE-NL is one of the largest and longest-standing chapters, with a proud 25-year history and a focus on High Tech, MBSE, infrastructure, education, health, and supporting the energy transition in the Netherlands. I also co-organized the Energy Transition workstream at IW2025 in Seville, which brought together global systems thinkers to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
I recently made a career move to the Dutch Boosting Group to further explore the application of Systems Engineering in other domains—particularly sustainability, coaching, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. I am excited to work on complex societal challenges that matter deeply to the Netherlands.
I used to be a CSEP – but recently did not fully manage the paperwork... Dutch citizen, and proud father of 15-year-old twin boys. I hold a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and enjoy bridging engineering, leadership, and long-term vision. Outside of work, I cycle over 5000 km a year, spend one day a week gardening, and cherish time in northern Spain, where my family has a second home. Above all, I love coaching, connecting people, and applying systems thinking in a hands-on, practical way.
Vision
I’m volunteering for the position of INOCSE President Elect—to help guide INCOSE in becoming a more outward-facing, inclusive, and socially connected organization. Having seen the transformative power of systems engineering in practice, I believe INCOSE is uniquely positioned to connect disciplines, inspire the next generation, and tackle challenges that matter to communities across the globe.
Focus on the positive impact Systems Engineering can bring
Systems Engineering has a vital role to play in solving complex societal problems—from energy transition to infrastructure resilience to health care. I believe INCOSE can rise to this challenge if we -working from our current solid foundation as expressed in the SE Vision 2035 and 4 Strategic objectives-:
- Speak in ways that resonate with younger generations, students, and emerging professionals.
- Engage non-engineers—such as policymakers and business leaders—in our conversations and solutions.
- Expand into new domains where systems thinking offers critical value, including healthcare and social systems.
Experience with Depth and Diversity
I’ve applied SE to the energy transition in the Netherlands—a societal challenge that helped shape a dedicated workstream at IW2025. My background in the energy sector offers a non-traditional view of systems thinking, highlighting its relevance in industries that often don’t speak its language.
Through leadership roles in global communities at Shell, and as president of INCOSE-NL, I’ve cultivated vibrant spaces where systems engineering is actively practiced across infrastructure, high-tech, education and more. My long international career has shaped a deep respect for diverse perspectives and cultural contexts—a quality I bring into every collaboration.
I lead with a belief that progress often comes through respectful challenge. I’m not one to accept the status quo when I see an opportunity for improvement, and I strive to create environments where that growth is possible—for our members, for INCOSE, and for the world we serve.
This candidacy is grounded in service and a genuine desire to contribute. I’d be honored to help guide INCOSE into its next chapter—with integrity, openness, and a shared commitment to making systems engineering truly matter.