Fugro, a global leader in geo-intelligence, today announced the appointment of Niels Schallenberg as Group Director for Europe & Africa, effective July 1. Schallenberg will join Fugro’s Executive Leadership Team, where he’ll be responsible for driving the company’s strategic growth across the vital Europe & Africa region. This appointment follows Erik-Jan Bijvank’s decision to step down from the role to pursue external opportunities.
Schallenberg brings a wealth of experience in energy transition, climate adaptation, and digital innovation, having held senior leadership and strategy positions at prominent firms including Deloitte, Grontmij (now Sweco), Haskoning, and most recently, Arcadis.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Niels Schallenberg to Fugro,” said Mark Heine, CEO of Fugro. “His proven leadership and forward-thinking approach in technology, digital transformation, and engineering will be a strong asset as we continue to expand our presence and impact in Europe and Africa. Niels’ appointment further strengthens our Executive Leadership Team and supports our long-term strategic ambitions.”
In other recent developments, Fugro was recently selected by the non-profit Ocean Visions to lead the development of a standardized Environmental Impact Assessment Framework for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR). This two-year initiative aims to provide a transparent, evidence-based approach to environmental review for emerging mCDR technologies, supporting their responsible permitting. The final framework is expected to be published in 2027 and will be openly accessible to researchers, regulators, and communities.
“We’ve spent decades helping industries assess and manage environmental risks in offshore environments,” stated Céline Gerson, Fugro’s Group Director for the Americas and President of Fugro USA. “Now we’re applying that expertise to help ensure mCDR is done responsibly and earns public trust.”
Additionally, Fugro recently expanded its global footprint with the launch of a new geotechnical testing laboratory in Jakarta, Indonesia, earlier this month, designed to support the growing demand in the energy and infrastructure sectors across the region.
