TEC announces new leadership
TEC announces new leadership
Commercial director René Zijlstra and technical director Arjan Luttikholt have been appointed joint managing directors of TEC, with Hans de Wit stepping down from the position after seventeen years. The leadership change comes as the industry embraces technical developments which will see tunnels having an even greater impact on sustainable urban development.
Established in 1988, TEC is a permanent partnership between Haskoning and Witteveen+Bos, two leading Dutch international consultancy and engineering firms. Offering specialist expertise in tunnelling, TEC has been responsible for design and construction supervision on many of the world’s most challenging and innovative tunnel projects, including the Fehmarnbelt and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
René Zijlstra, TEC’s current commercial director, has more than twenty years’ experience in domestic and international business development and a background in engineering. He has been involved in the acquisition of key projects for TEC, including the Fehmarnsund Tunnel and the Einstein Telescope.
Talking about his new role, René said: ‘I’m delighted to be taking on this challenge alongside Arjan, as we lead TEC into the next chapter. Tunnels and other underground infrastructure do more than just connect places: they bring together countries, communities, economies and opportunities. They also play an essential role in bringing about social change, from the energy transition to the future of mobility. TEC is embracing opportunities to build infrastructure that increases liveability, resilience and economic vitality, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and conforming with all other regulations.’
Current technical director Arjan Luttikholt has been part of TEC for over eighteen years. A highly experienced civil engineer, he has led multidisciplinary teams on complex underground infrastructure projects both in the Netherlands and abroad.
Arjan: ‘TEC’s international reputation is based on extensive technical expertise in tunnels and other complex underground infrastructure. In a world where tunnel projects are becoming more important, more integrated and more demanding, we’re helping clients build infrastructure that is predictable, robust, and ready for the future. I look forward to working with René as we give shape to this next phase for TEC.’
Technological developments including digitalisation, digital twins, and AI are driving change in tunnel projects, from approach and planning to operation. Tunnels are also increasingly being seen as potential solutions for sustainable urban infrastructure, and their role in the energy transition is being explored. By housing major transport connections and essential infrastructure such as cables and pipelines underground, tunnels can help preserve green spaces in cities and improve liveability for communities. TEC’s extensive experience across the full spectrum of tunnelling makes it well placed to guide clients as they embrace these new possibilities.
In a further example of the impact tunnelling can have beyond roads and railways, TEC is leading a consortium working on a feasibility study for the Einstein Telescope, Europe’s proposed observatory for gravitational waves.
René added: ‘The commitment of Haskoning and Witteveen+Bos ensures that TEC and our clients benefit from the expertise, international networks, and specialist knowledge of both organisations. This strengthens our ability to support clients with increasingly complex underground infrastructure challenges that include renovation, maintenance and asset management, as well as the design and construction of new tunnels.’
Though stepping down as managing director, Hans de Wit will remain involved in some of the company’s key projects.
Arjan paid tribute to his predecessor: ‘Hans’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organisation that TEC is today. His domain expertise, experience in providing a wide range of tunnel designs and services, and relationships within the industry have seen him consistently lead by example. Always approachable, supportive of the next generation of tunnel engineers, and boundlessly enthusiastic about the industry, he leaves us with an impressive example to follow. We’re delighted that he will remain involved in this next phase and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with him.’
For media enquiries, please contact:
René Zijlstra
Director, TEC
T: + +31653738707
E: info@tec-tunnel.com
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