With over 30 years of executive experience, Wout was CEO of Nutreco N.V. from 2000 to 2012, guiding the company’s global expansion in animal nutrition, aquaculture, and sustainable agriculture. His leadership was marked by a strong emphasis on R&D, biodiversity, and circular farming systems. He also championed inclusive impact initiatives—most notably a partnership with Women on Wings to generate rural employment for women in India, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices across Northern Europe.

Wout began his career at BP in various European roles before transitioning to the food and agriculture sector. Following his time at Nutreco, he has brought his governance acumen to numerous supervisory boards, including as former Chair of Rabobank, as well as leadership at the Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology. Across his board appointments, he is known for advancing innovation, ethical investment, and long-term value creation.

He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:

• Agri‑food & aquaculture value chains – scaling feed, nutrition, and sustainable farming across Europe, North America, and Asia

• Industrial & logistics governance – advising multinational boards in HR services, transport, energy, and animal genetics

• Sustainability & ethical investment – embedding biodiversity, ethical sourcing, and rural empowerment into business strategy

• Global board leadership – guiding complex supervisory boards through governance, risk, and stakeholder alignment

A Master’s graduate in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University, Wout is celebrated for merging technical acumen with values-driven stewardship. He is known for his strategic clarity, commitment to rural development, and capacity to lead transformational programmes across corporations and institutions—qualities that make him a mentor for leaders balancing industrial scale with social purpose.