Since 2003, Paul has been the CEO of Kiwa with the ambition to transform the drinking water utility-held Kiwa certification organization into a modern TIC organization. Having obtained a more enthusiastic business driven culture, Kiwa started expanding after 2005 by diversifying services and growing an international footprint. Thus, the 200 FTE staff size Dutch Kiwa developed into today’s 5500+ FTE organization with offices in 35 countries. The service portfolio was changed from a local service provider in drinking water and building products certification into a decentrlaized international TIC organization with a broad portfolio of services for product & process certification, in-service inspection in industry and real estate, field and laboratory testing, training, engineering and data services for many international end industries. Focus has consistently been placed on ‘moving forward’ with internal culture, customer orientation and value creation.
Between 1995 and 2002, Paul was the National Chief Executive of SGS in the Netherlands and managing director of the Dutch SGS Redwood OGC activities. As NCE, responsibilities comprised Environment, Agro-food, System & Service Certification and Industrial Inspections.
After graduating as a Chemistry Master in 1983 and Biotechnology PhD in 1989 (University of Groningen), Paul worked at Dutch contract research organization TNO between 1988-1995 with a focus on Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences. Typical customers were companies, industry associations, research foundations, EU Framework Programs, governments and institutions (including OECD, four EU Directorates and MITI (Japan).