• Nando Castelline

  Technical Editor

A leadership change will take place at chipmaker ASML in April next year. After more than ten years of rapid company growth, Peter Wennink is stepping down as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He will be succeeded by Frenchman Christophe Fouquet.

This gives the company, which plays an integral role in the global chip sector, a new face to the outside world. Fouquet, 48, has been working at Veldhoven for fifteen years. For the past five years, he has been closely involved with the most important machine ASML currently offers, EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet).

ASML’s message today is very 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 chipmaking ecosystem.” He stressed that Fouquet has the “right leadership qualities” and is a cultural fit for the company.

While Weinink has a financial background, Fouquet has a much more artistic background. Before starting at ASML, Wennink worked for Deloitte. He recognized the chip machine maker as a customer and took the company public. He then became CFO at ASML.

The coming months will be a transitional period. Wennink will remain in his position until April 24, 2024, after which Fouquet will take over his position. Martin van den Brink, who has been leading the technology side of ASML for decades, will also leave. He is credited with a crucial role in the way ASML has evolved over the decades. if Chief Technology Officer It will not be replaced. Fouquet takes this role.

Although ASML is a high-tech company, the Chairman of the Board must also be relevant to national and international politics. Before because the United States wants to impose more and more restrictions on the export of ASML machines.

In this context, NOS asked Fouquet about his message to The Hague and Washington. He responded that the company’s senior management “has built strong relationships with people in The Hague and is looking forward to expanding them further.”

Fouquet also stressed the importance of working together “to confront the challenges we face.” He said nothing about Washington, where the push to restrict machinery exports mainly comes from. Fouquet sees himself as one local He points out that he has a Dutch wife and Dutch children. “That helps,” Fouquet said.

When asked if he, as CEO, would still like to export the currently restricted machinery to China, he answered in line with what the company had previously said on the subject. “We want to serve everyone, but within the limits of what is permitted. This has been the case for years and will continue to be the case in the future. It is not our right to determine what is right and what is wrong.”