Pien Niehe
Europe Press Office,Amsterdam
Sander den Blanken is appointed new Group Leader of Arup in the Netherlands as of April 2015.
In his new role he will be responsible for the services to clients, the financial results and the welfare of 250 staff. He takes over the role of Paul Coughlan, who continues to be Chairman of the Europe Board of Arup.
Joining Arup in 2008 as senior consultant, Den Blanken rapidly became responsible for the infrastructural portfolio of the office in Amsterdam. Additionally he was appointed as leader of Arup's Europe Skills Network of Bridges and Civil Structures.
Den Blanken, who studied Civil Engineering at the Technical University in Delft, has a vast hands-on experience in preparing, organising and executing large and complex infrastructural projects. He remains involved in the renovation of the Galecopper Bridge. Furthermore he is a member of the review committee of the Register of Structural Engineers and he is also a member of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).
“"I feel honoured by this task and I am looking forward to developing our company into the best practice in the Netherlands, positioning the firm in between the regular engineering companies and knowledge institutes. In the changing society it is important to innovate, as most of the traditional solutions no longer comply. We aim to offer the best possible technical solutions and sustainable quality design in a challenging and innovative environment. Our great and diverse team makes it possible to achieve this." Sander den Blanken, Group Leader of the Netherlands
As of 2000, Arup is present in the Netherlands, establishing a reputation in utility construction and infrastructure. The specialist team of consultants and engineers contributed among others to projects in arts & culture, education and healthcare. In the Netherlands, Arup supported the design of Medical Spectrum Twente, the renovation of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in The Hague and the new building and renovation of several buildings for Saxion University of Applied Sciences. In addition Arup was also involved in the design of the Nescio Bridge.
With access to Arup’s specialist networks around the world, the team in Amsterdam is able to bring global expertise to local projects, as well as to consult on international iconic projects.