Members' Council, BoD, SB, WTR

The Members' Council represents the members (owners of the cooperative) and is the highest body of the cooperative. The Members' Council meets at least twice a year.

Tasks of the Members' Council

• adopt articles of association
• approve the annual accounts
• approve the Long-term Agenda (the strategy) and the annual plans of the SURF cooperative
• appointing the members of the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board, and the WTR
• approve the admission of new members

Distribution of members

The Members' Council consists of 36 members divided into six departments. A set number of seats is available for each department. Members are assigned to one of the Members' Council departments, which takes decisions on behalf of the members. Thus, the voice of all members is heard. Members serve on the members' council for a maximum of 4 years and can be reappointed 2 times by their department.

Method of decision-making

Decision-making is based on an absolute majority (more than half) of the valid votes cast, unless the statutes or the law prescribe a larger majority.

The chair of the WTR or a deputy appointed by him or her is authorised to attend meetings of the Members' Council and has an advisory vote.

Governance code

Through the Members' Council, the members have a say in matters such as SURF's strategy and the (core) package of services. To exercise that control, in addition to the involvement of our members, SURF also needs transparency about its management and supervision. We have therefore drawn up a governance code, which contains widely supported general views on good corporate governance and rules of conduct. The governance code also requires the board of directors to draw up a whistleblower policy and publish it on the website.

Members of the Members' Council

Chair

• Mr J.W. Lintsen MBA - University of Amsterdam (Representative on behalf of academic education)

Vice-chair

• Ms I.T.J. Grimm MBA - Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
  (Representative on behalf of higher professional education)

Representative on behalf of academic education

• Mr J.A.W.M. Biemans - University of Groningen
• Mr. N.J.P.M. Bos - University of Maastricht
• Mr R.L.A.C. Buchwaldt MBA - Wageningen University
• Ms M. van der Meer - Delft University of Technology
• Ms A. Muskens - Radboud University
• Mr M.J.W.T. Nollen - VU University Amsterdam
• Mr drs. T. Kos - Leiden University
• Ms M. Roos - University of Twente
• Ms E.M.A. van Schoten RA - Erasmus University Rotterdam
• w. drs. M. van der Starre - University of Utrecht
• Ms M.M.N. Ummelen - Open University
• Mr drs. P.D.M. Groothuis - Eindhoven University of Technology
• Ms drs. W.L.M. de Koning-Martens - Tilburg University

Representation on behalf of higher professional education

• dhr. R. van Kan, MCI Bsc - Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
• Mr W.E. van den Brink MA - Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
• Ms Y.E.A.M. de Haan RE - HAN University of applied sciences
• Ms A.H. Hannink MHA - Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
• Mr. drs. G.B. van Assem - Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
• Mr. R.J.G.M. Verbruggen - Kempel University of Applied Science
• Ms. dr. A. Luijten-Lub - Hogeschool Van Hall Larensteins
• Mr. drs. A.J.M. Groot Zwaaftink - Thomas More
• <vacancy>

Representing secondary vocational education

• Mr. R. Neutelings - Curio
• Ms. P. Satter - Christelijke Onderwijs Groep Vallei & Gelderland- Midden
• Ms. dr. D.J.M. Majoor - Koning Willem I College
• Mr. drs. J.A.M. Maas - Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam
• Ms. S. Fredriksz – Albeda

Representation on behalf of non-university/non-commercial research institutions

• Mr Prof. Dr J. de Boer - NWO
• Mr R. de Haan - RIVM
• Mr. dr. I. Holleman - KNAW

Representing university medical centres

• Mr. ir. D.M. Schraven - Erasmus MC
• Mr Prof. Dr W.J. Niessen - UMCG

Other

• Mr. drs. N. Schroten - Koninklijke Bibliotheek
• Mr dr. S. van der Gijp - TNO

The board formulates SURF's policy and strategy and translates it into tactical and operational matters.

Composition Board of Directors

• Ron Augustus: Chair of the Board of Directors
• Hans Louwhoff: member of the Board of Directors

Memberships

Ron Augustus

• Member of the Npuls Steering Group
• Member of the Digitalisation Committee of VNO-NCW
• Member of the Advisory Board of Stichting Toekomstbeeld der Techniek
• Delegate Knowledge Exchange Senior Management
• Co-chair Board DINL
• Member Advisory Board Science Guide
• Delegate e-Infrastructure Research Group
• Board member Open Science (Regieorgaan Open Science Nederland)
• Delegate European Open Science Cloud Association
• Member General Assembly of GÉANT
• Member Global CEO Research & Education Network Forum
   

Hans Louwhoff

• Member of the Information Room
• Member of MBO Chain Management Consultation
• Member of HO Chain Management Consultation
• Member EDU Standardisation Council

Composition

The supervisory board (SB) consists of at least 3 people. The term of appointment of Supervisory Board members is up to 4 years, with a maximum of 3 terms.

Members of the Supervisory Board

Chair

• dhr. Harry van Dorenmalen (second term, as of 1st of February 2024, for four years)

Members

• dhr. Edwin van Huis (second term, as of 31st March 2023, for four years)
• mw. Dorien Jongeneel (second term, as of 1st of January 2025, for four years)
• mw. Saskia Vlaar (second term, as of 1st April 2024, for four years)
• dhr. Gabriël Zwart (second term, as of 31st March 2023, for four years)

Additional functions of the Supervisory Board

Other positions Mr Harry van Dorenmalen

• Chair Advisory Board LINKIT
• Chair Board Health Valley
• Chair National Top Team Sport
• Chair Supervisory Board ICT Tribe
• Advisor CyFlex GmbH
• Chair Board WaveMakers
• Member of OCW state committee STEM - Sector plans
• Member Advisory Board Almere City FC

Main position and current ancillary positions Mr Edwin van Huis

Main position

• General Director, Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Other positions

• Member of the Supervisory Board of the Amsterdam School of the Arts
• Co-director Japan Museum the Siebold House, Leiden
• Member of the Board of Directors at International Barcode of Life
• President of CETAF

Main position and current ancillary positions Ms Dorien Jongeneel

Main position

• Director of the Conservation Unit, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

Other positions

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation

Principal position and current ancillary positions Ms Saskia Vlaar

Main position

• Member of the Board of AI Coalitie 4 NL

Other positions

• Member of the Supervisory Board of PWC Netherlands
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Emixa
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Noordwest Hospital Group

Main position and current ancillary positions mr. Gabriël Zwart 

Main position

• Member of the Executive Board of MUMC+

Other positions

• Member of the Supervisory Board CZO
• Member of the Supervisory Board RonaldMcDonald House

The Scientific Technical Council consists of recognised independent authorities, appointed in a personal capacity. The appointment is always for a term of 3 years with a maximum of 3 terms.

Prof. Lynda Hardman (chair)

• Principal Researcher & Strategist at the Centre for Mathematics & Computer Science (CWI). Part-time professor of Multimedia Discourse Interaction at Utrecht University, Dutch representative in the COST Scientific Committee.
• Specialism: human information interaction, information visualisation, semantic web, topic-based literature exploration.
• Appointed for a 2nd term. Ends 9 June 2027.

Dr. Paola Grosso (vice-chair)

• Associate professor in the Computer Science Institute of the University of Amsterdam, Leader of the Multiscale Networked System (MNS) research group, director of the Graduate School of Informatics.
• Specialism: Future Internet, Programmable Networks.
• Appointed for a 1st term. Ends 07 April 2027.

Prof. E.W. Berghout

• Professor of Computer Science, Information Systems, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Groningen.
• Specialism: Information management, IT Governance, New Business Models, Big Data Implementations, IT Auditing and Security.
• Appointed for a 2nd term. Ends on 9 October 2025.

Dr. Nynke Bos

• Lecturer in Teaching, Learning and Technology at Inholland University of Applied Sciences and Academic Dean, Master Learning & Innovation.
• Appointed for a 1st term, ending on 14 June 2026

Dr. Andrea Klaeijsen

• Practor Personalised Learning, VISTA College
• Specialism: personalised learning and flexible education, knowledge infrastructure in mbo
• Appointed for a 1st term. Ends 09 June 2027.

Dr. M. Kleppe

• Head of Research at the Royal Library.
• Specialism: Digital research infrastructure for the humanities, digital heritage, accessing digital archives using AI.
• Appointed for a 2nd term. Ends 14 June 2026.

Prof. A.R. Lodder

• Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation.
• Specialism: law and internet, including privacy, security, liability, contracting, freedom of speech, cybercrime; and phenomena related to algorithms, social media, cyberwar, smart devices and apps.
• Appointed for a 2nd term. Ending 14 June 2026.

Prof. P.R. Luijten

• Professor of Functional Medical Imaging at UMC Utrecht and director of the UMC Utrecht Center for Image Sciences, Chief Scientific Officer of the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine.
• Appointed for a 2nd term. Ends on 13 June 2025.

Prof. Ana Varbanescu

• Professor at the University of Twente and Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam.
• Specialism: heterogeneous architectures for HPC, zero-waste computing, co-design of systems, performance and energy efficiency modelling for both scientific and irregular, data-intensive applications.
• Appointed for a 1st term. Ends on 31 December 2026.

Prof. Marcus Specht

• Professor of Digital Education at TU Delft and director of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Center for Education and Learning. He is further leader of the 4TU Centre for Engineering Education and member of the Board of Governors.
• Appointed for a 1st term, ending 14 June 2026.

Prof. dr. Daniel Oberski

• Professor of Data Science, Methodology, and Statistics at Utrecht University.
• Specialisation: data science methodology, data science and machine learning to scientific problems, especially in the social and health sciences.
• Appointed for a 1st term, ending 11 December 2027.

Dr. John Swinbank

• Science Data Centre Programme Manager at ASTRON, the Dutch Institute for Radio Astronomy. Appointed for a 1st term, ending 11 December 2027. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Royal Astronomical Society Techniques & Instruments magazine, member of the LOFAR Science and Technical Committee, member of the SKA Regional Centres Network Advisory Committee and member of the Netherlands Astronomy Equity and Inclusion Committee. He is also a guest researcher at Princeton University's Department of Astrophysical Sciences.
• Appointed for a 1st term, ending 11 December 2027.

Appointment of WTR members

The WTR consists of recognised independent authorities appointed in their personal capacity. WTR members are appointed on the basis of their independent outlook, vision of the future and expertise in the cooperative's fields of activity. Appointment is always for a term of 3 years with a maximum of 3 terms. New WTR members are nominated by the Supervisory Board and appointed by the Members' Council. The composition of the WTR is evaluated every 2 years. If vacancies arise, their filling is discussed with the Executive and Supervisory Boards.

Role WTR

The WTR's role is broad:

• Performs a substantive review of projects and activities initiated by SURF.
• Supports the sectors in formulating their positions and priorities.
• Advises SURF's Executive Board and Member Council on the level of innovation in the Multi-Year Plans and 2-Year Plans. 2 years after publication of the trend report, the WTR reassesses the trends and issues described.
• Makes recommendations for tightening or changing the chosen course in the 2Year Plans. This is done on the basis of progress reports of the cooperative's entire portfolio: service delivery, service development and innovation.

The WTR as a whole issues the recommendations. A committee, composed in consultation with the client, prepares the opinions. In carrying out its work, the WTR may additionally be assisted by external experts.

WTR also advises institutions

The WTR advises SURF member institutions seeking an independent and expert response to questions regarding ICT policy. Institutions can contact the WTR for audits, support in planning and reviewing policy. The WTR's advice is always tailor-made. The diversity of expertise of the WTR's council members allows it to make quick diagnoses and formulate concrete advice.

View WTR opinions

Advice from the WTR to SURF is in principle public, unless other arrangements have been made. Advice from the WTR to institutions is only public if the client explicitly opts for this.

The WTR considers topics of strategic importance to SURF. The starting point is innovation in current and future services to the members, based on national and international developments.