Peter Wennink, ASML’s outgoing CEO, received a senior royal honor today. Wennink was appointed Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte presented the award at Wennink’s farewell ceremony in Veldhoven.

“Since Peter Wennink took office in 2013, ASML has grown into one of the world’s leading and innovative technology groups. The enormous importance of ASML for the Eindhoven region and the entire Netherlands is unprecedented,” Rutte said in a message. X.

The award Wennink received is the second-highest in the Order of Orange-Nassau. Moreover, it is not often granted; This was the fifth time since 2000.

Peter Wennink started at ASML 25 years ago, initially as CFO in 1999. He then became CEO. During his tenure as CEO, the company grew into the global market leader in chip machines. He thus made a “significant contribution to the Dutch economy”, as can be read in a press release issued by the municipality of Veldhoven.

A social program has also been created under Winink, where more than 180,000 primary school children can receive technology lessons. The same project allowed libraries to purchase books.

Another ASML initiative under Wennink’s leadership is an educational project with a two-year scholarship for technology students, which was launched in 2014. This arrangement makes it easier for technology students to obtain a master’s degree at the university.

In addition to his work at ASML and projects surrounding education, Wennink also has several side hustles. From 2000 to 2012, he was co-founder and treasurer of the Ronald McDonald House South-East Brabant.

Since 2016, he has been a member of the Supervisory Board of Eindhoven University of Technology. He donated his compensation to ASML’s educational projects. Wennink will step down as CEO of ASML at the end of this month. He is succeeded by Frenchman Christophe Fouquet.