Fred Kappetijn has been named manager of the new Amsterdam branch of the Telematica Instituut, the Technological Top Institute in the field of ICT, starting on 1 February.

Kappetijn has played a widely acknowledged leadership role in the development and operation of electronic services since 1982. He helped launch many relevant new developments in that sphere, such as Videotex Nederland and Kennisnet. Kappetijn was previously a science journalist for Elseviers Weekblad and worked for the publishers VNU and PCM Uitgevers, among others. He has founded numerous companies, including Ex’ovision and Brokerits.

With the expansion of the Telematica Instituut – which from April will be known as Novay – into the Randstad conurbation, the research institute will be closer to companies and organisations participating in major innovation programmes in the financial sector and the creative industry. The move will also make the recruitment of researchers easier.