Heesen succession
Heesen has appointed Ruud van der Stroom as its new Chief Commercial Officer, succeeding Mark Cavendish after 16 years.
Photography by Georges van Wensween
01 September 2024
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Dutch shipbuilding company Heesen has appointed Ruud van der Stroom as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1 September.
Van der Stroom, who trained as a Dutch Royal Navy officer and is a passionate sailor, brings extensive maritime experience to the role. His background includes naval architecture training at the Naval Academy and Delft University of Technology.
His professional experience spans several years in commercial shipbuilding, including 16 years at Keppel Offshore and Marine and the Damen Shipyards Group, where he developed expertise in the maritime sector.
“This transition marks a significant milestone in my career,” says Van der Stroom. “My passion for yachting has been a lifelong pursuit, and joining such a prestigious shipyard feels like the perfect culmination of that journey.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this highly professional team and eager to see what the future holds. With Heesen’s strong brand and dedicated team, I’m confident we will make a meaningful impact in the industry!”
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Van der Stroom succeeds Mark Cavendish, who will retire after 16 years with Heesen and a long career in the yachting industry. Under Cavendish’s leadership, Heesen expanded its reputation and sold numerous yachts, ranging from semi-custom to fully custom designs.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mark for his invaluable contributions,” says Niels Vaessen, Heesen’s CEO.
“His vast experience and deep market knowledge have been instrumental in building a solid platform for Heesen’s continued success.
“We welcome Ruud to the team and look forward to the direction he will bring as we continue to elevate our offerings in the luxury yacht market.”
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