Damen Shipyards Group has appointed Arnout Damen as its new chief executive, effective from 1 January next year.
He takes over from Rene Berkvens, who has led Damen Shipyards Group for more than 13 years.
The shipbuilding company will also switch to a divisional structure to “serve the market more effectively and efficiently”, the company said.
Arnout Damen has been a member of the group’s executive board for the last nine years, responsible for operations and commercial affairs.
He said: “Preparations for this have been going on for several months. We will be officially switching from 1 January.
“Damen is known as an innovative and dynamic company that works very closely with its clients. We would like to maintain this.
“With the growth of recent years, the switch to a divisional structure has become logical to remain close to the various markets and to further expand our leading position in the fields of quality, digitalisation and sustainability.”
His first priority is the further implementation of the divisional structure.
Jan-Wim Dekker will take on the vacated role of chief commercial officer.


