In April next year, there will be a leadership change at chip machine manufacturer ASML. After more than a decade of rapid growth of the company, Peter Wennink is stepping down as CEO. His successor will be Frenchman Christophe Fouquet.
This gives a new face to the company, which plays an important role in the chip industry worldwide. Fouquet, 48, has been working in Veldhoven for fifteen years. For the last five years he has been heavily involved in EUV (extreme ultraviolet), the most important engine ASML currently offers.
ASML’s message today is clear: a new face but not a new direction.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Wennink described his successor as someone with “a deep understanding of ASML technology and the chip industry ecosystem.” He emphasized that Fouquet has “the right leadership qualities” and is a cultural fit for the company.
While Wennink has a financial background, Fouquet has a much more technical background. Before joining ASML, Wennink worked at accounting firm Deloitte. He recognized the chip machine manufacturer as a customer and took the company public. He later served as CFO at ASML.
The coming months will be a transition period. Wennink will remain in office until April 24, 2024, after which Fouquet will take over. Martin van den Brink, who has led ASML’s technology side for decades, will also leave. It has been known to play an important role in the development of ASML for decades. He will not be replaced as Chief Technology Officer. Fouquet takes on this role.
political
Although ASML is a highly technical company, its president also needs to be connected to national and international politics. Previously, because the USA increasingly wanted to restrict the export of ASML machines.
In this context, NOS asked Fouquet what his message was to The Hague and Washington. He said the company’s senior management “has established strong relationships with the people of The Hague and looks forward to developing them further.”
Fouquet also emphasized that it is important to work together to “overcome the challenges we face.” He said nothing about Washington, where most of the pressure to restrict machinery exports comes from. Fouquet, who considers himself a local, points out that he has a Dutch wife and Dutch children. “This helps,” Fouquet said.
When asked whether, as CEO, he would continue to export machines currently limited to China, he responded in line with the company’s previous statements. We want to serve everyone, but within permissible limits. This has been the case for years and will remain so in the future. “It is not up to us to determine what is right and what is wrong.”
Source: NOS
Jason Jack is an experienced technology journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in computer science and engineering, he has a deep understanding of the latest technology trends and developments. He writes about a wide range of technology topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cybersecurity.
