Jan Henk van der Velden leaves Utrecht Science Park Foundation and becomes the new Managing Director at Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
After nine years, Jan Henk van der Velden will step down as Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation effective this coming July 1. As of September 1, 2026, Jan Henk will become Managing Director of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park Foundation. He announced his departure several months ago.
In recent years, Utrecht Science Park has further developed into a leading ecosystem for education, research, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. During his tenure as Managing Director, Jan Henk made a significant contribution to the growth, positioning, visibility, and collaboration of Utrecht Science Park, both regionally and nationally.
Arjen Gerritsen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, expresses his appreciation for Jan Henk’s efforts: “Over the past few years, Jan Henk has literally and figuratively put Utrecht Science Park on the map. I therefore look back on our collaboration with appreciation and pleasure. He can be proud of what has been achieved. We thank him for all his dedication, support, and the growth that Utrecht Science Park has experienced in recent years.”
After a long career as a partner lawyer at a renowned law firm, Jan Henk van der Velden consciously chose a new path in 2017: applying his knowledge and experience as a director for an organization with a relevant societal objective. That step proved successful. He became Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, the representative of the largest science park in the Netherlands. With more than 150 organizations, 32,000 employees, and 60,000 students, this is a dynamic partnership dedicated to a healthy and sustainable society. Together with the team and partners, he championed the social and economic interests of the area and fostered collaboration among all stakeholders.
Jan Henk van der Velden’s farewell will take place on Monday, July 6, starting at 4:30 PM at Grand Café The Living at the Utrecht Science Park. If you are interested in attending but have not yet received an invitation, please send a message to communicatie@utrechtsciencepark.nl.
The Utrecht Science Park Foundation thanks Jan Henk van der Velden for his great commitment and dedication over the past nine years and wishes him the best of luck in his new role at the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park Foundation.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Registration for Utrecht Science Week 2026 is now open: the knowledge festival at Utrecht Science Park
From Friday 25 September to Sunday 4 October, the sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week will take place. Utrecht Science Park will open its doors to everyone interested in (applied) science and innovation in the fields of life sciences, health, and sustainability.
The first programme elements have now been announced and registration is open. Many more events and activities will be added to the programme in the coming weeks.
New artificial heart implanted for the first time in Europe
Earlier this month at UMC Utrecht, a patient with advanced heart failure became the first person in Europe to receive a BrioVAD ventricular assist device. The new system is being evaluated in a European study and may offer advantages over the existing ventricular assist device. For UMC Utrecht, the implantation marks a new milestone in a long history of innovation in the field of mechanical circulatory support.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).