Gérard de Nazelle benoemd tot directeur Europese Instituut van Innovatie en Technologie (EIT) (en)
IP/09/1337
Brussels, 1 8 September 2009
Gérard de Nazelle appointed Director of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
As from today, the Governing Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has appointed Gérard de Nazelle as the first Director of the newly established Institute. Mr Gérard de Nazelle, a French citizen, will lead the EIT's headquarters during the next four years.
Mr Gérard de Nazelle , formerly Global Manager Innovation & Research at Shell, worked with all Shell businesses on the development of new technology options and clean energy futures. As EIT Director he will play a key role in setting up the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities, and the daily management of EIT. His core task in the coming months will be to establish the EIT Headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, guiding the Institute become fully operational.
Ján Figel', Commissioner for Education, Culture, Training and Youth under whose portfolio the EIT has been set up, welcomed the decision by the Governing Board: "The appointment of Mr. Gérard de Nazelle as EIT Director is another major step towards a fully effective EIT. Setting up the EIT has been extremely smooth and speedy so far, showing European citizens and economy that the EU is very much committed to making Europe an innovative and entrepreneurial place to be."
Martin Schuurmans, Chairman of the EIT Governing Board says the appointment of the Director comes at a crucial moment for the EIT. "Until the end of 2009, the first two or three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) will be selected. Putting in place the EIT headquarter core team will be a crucial factor for the KICs' successful phasing-in and operation. I am confident that under the leadership of Mr de Nazelle we will establish a modern, flexible and service-oriented support structure in Budapest."
Responsibilities for leading the EIT will be clear cut: The Governing Board takes the strategic decisions regarding the EIT objectives and actions. The Director is responsible for turning these decisions into a reality and for the day-to-day management of the EIT. He is accountable to the Governing Board and will report to the Board on an ongoing basis.
See a brief CV of Mr de Nazelle attached.
EIT website:
Curriculum vitae
Gérard de Nazelle is an engineering graduate of ENSIC (MSc Chem. Eng.) in France, and obtained a PhD (Physics) from the Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands).
He joined Shell in 1990, where he first worked in technology development. In 1994, he moved to Japan, then to Singapore, where he participated in the construction and start-up of two large petrochemical projects (1996 – 2003). He held the position of Technology Manager of Shell Seraya (Singapore), before becoming Chief Technologist of the multi-billion CNOOC-Shell project in China (2004-2007).
He is currently the Global Manager Innovation & Research, working with all Shell businesses on the development of new technology options and clean energy futures.
Dr. de Nazelle has been a member of the “Chemical and Environmental Engineering Consultative Committee” of the National University of Singapore (2001-2003). He is presently a member of the Expert Panel on Carbon Capture and Utilization at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* Star) in Singapore. Other involvements in Joined Industry Partnerships (JIPs) include his participation (representing Shell) to the CO 2 Capture and Storage Committee of the Energy Technology Institute (ETI, UK).