On Wednesday 11 November, the shares in Automotive Campus (held through Campus Sui Moveo) were transferred before a civil-law notary by Bouwbedrijf Van de Ven, based in Veghel, to the Province of North Brabant and the Municipality of Helmond. This marks the conclusion of a lengthy process, during which both Helmond’s Municipal Council and the Provincial Council of North Brabant had previously expressed their support for the acquisition of the real estate at Automotive Campus. The province and municipality are therefore now joint shareholders in the campus.
An important consideration in acquiring all the shares in Automotive Campus is the intended development of the campus. In pursuit of their economic and societal ambitions, the province and municipality now have firm control over the key decisions that will be taken at and by Automotive Campus in the coming years. The formal confirmation by the notary marks the start of this further development. As part of the Brainport region, the campus contributes to the major expansion that Helmond is undergoing.
Stijn Smeulders, Member of the Provincial Executive of North Brabant: “At Automotive Campus, work is underway on the mobility systems and energy solutions of the future. We want Helmond, Brabant and even Europe to reap the benefits. There is plenty of room for growth, as more than half of the campus still needs to be developed. As public authorities, we now have full control over what kinds of buildings will be built and which organisations can establish themselves there.”
Theo Manders, Alderman for Economic Affairs at the Municipality of Helmond: “Automotive Campus is the beating heart of innovation in our region. By now taking full ownership together with the province, we are making our crown jewel shine and giving entrepreneurs and talent the space to continue growing.”
Frank van de Ven, Managing Director of Bouwbedrijf Van de Ven: “We are proud to see what has been created at Automotive Campus over the past 15 years. We have developed and built Automotive Campus into what it is today with great passion. The technology and the dynamism you feel there have always appealed to us, so saying goodbye is not entirely easy. But with the municipality and the province as its new owners, the campus is in good and trusted hands. We wish them every success with its further development.”
Managing Director and Supervisory Board
As the new shareholders, the province and municipality have immediately taken a number of decisions concerning the development of Automotive Campus: a Managing Director has been appointed, and a Supervisory Board has been appointed. An annual plan and budget have also been approved, and the company’s articles of association have been amended. In this way, the objectives and governance of Automotive Campus have now been brought into line with those of the municipality and province.
Ms Sascha Bloemhoff has been appointed as Managing Director of the company with effect from today, having already served as Director of Stichting Automotive Campus Helmond for the past two years. The shareholders have today appointed Ms Jeanet van Antwerpen as Chair and Mr Frank den Brok and Mr Maarten Steinbuch as members of the Supervisory Board, which will provide independent oversight of the company and the Managing Director.
Sascha Bloemhoff: “Society faces major challenges relating to smart, safe and sustainable mobility and energy. At Automotive Campus, businesses, researchers and students work every day on solutions to these challenges. The acquisition of the real estate and the contribution of land by the Municipality of Helmond and the Province of North Brabant create a shared foundation for the further development of the campus. This gives us the scope to accelerate innovations that contribute to these societal transitions. I look forward to working with our campus residents and partners to continue developing smart and sustainable vehicles and future-proof mobility and energy solutions.”
Tree planted at Automotive Campus
To mark today’s special occasion, a tree was planted at Automotive Campus: an Ulmus Fiorente. Like the campus, this tree grows quickly and adapts extremely well to its surroundings. The tree can reach a height of 18 to 25 metres and withstands drought, heat, wind and short periods of waterlogging well.
