Rene was the CEO of Damen Shipyards for 13 years, from 2006 to 2019, and now joins DGR to support the expansion strategy and participate on the investment committee.

A maritime engineer by training, Rene started at Damen in sales in Africa and later in America. He managed Damen Shipyards Gorinchem (workboats) from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2004 he was director of the Koninklijke Schelde, the first defence vessel builder in the Netherlands to be taken over by Damen Shipyards Group from the Dutch government. During the same period, he was also responsible for mega yacht building and ship repair activities of Damen Shipyards.

Rene’s career in shipbuilding and his experience in the maritime sector is a considerable asset to the DGR team.

Theo Bruijninckx, Business Economics and Postdoctoral Controller graduate, has extensive general and financial management experience. He spent 24 years of his career at Ballast Nedam, a contracting conglomerate. In 2004 he joined the Board, first as CFO, followed by seven years as CEO in which he led Ballast Nedam under challenging circumstances.

In 2017, Theo Bruijninckx took on the role of CFO and Board member of Huisman Equipment, a leading manufacturer of heavy equipment for the energy and offshore sector. From 2018 until 2020 he fulfilled the role of CEO, succeeding Joop Roodenburg, owner of Huisman, whilst continuing his role as CFO. After passing on the baton to David Roodenburg, the third generation, Theo is CFO of Huisman to this day.

Martijn is the CFO of the DGR Group since April 2022 and manages, in close contact with Simeon, the finances for DGR. Martijn began his career as an auditor at KPMG and has a degree in Finance Administration and Controlling. He has been a financial for more than 20 year and gained broad financial experience in auditing, Real Estate, project organizations and banking. With this experience, people skills, positive mindset and his ability to see the bigger picture, Martijn plays a strategic role in the growth of DGR Group, especially for the new investments in the Roadstead Fund.

Kaya supports De Goede Ree as Head of Marketing & Communication, responsible for the company’s marketing strategy, corporate communications, and brand positioning. She manages both internal and external communications, oversees the company’s digital presence, and develops marketing initiatives to strengthen De Goede Ree’s visibility within the maritime and offshore industry.

Kaya recently graduated from IVA Business School, where she gained a strong foundation in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Following her graduation, she joined De Goede Ree to further develop the company’s marketing and communication activities. By combining a strategic approach with a fresh perspective, she helps communicate the company’s expertise, innovative vessel concepts, and engineering capabilities to clients, partners, and the wider maritime sector.

Leveraging over 45 years of experience in management and investment in the marine industry, André established DGR in 2003. Early in his career, André played a key role in large-scale reorganisations and the successful turnaround of a large Rotterdam shipyard. From there, André built a prestigious career as CEO of various conglomerates, mostly in the maritime or civil sector. One specific period worth highlighting is André’s experience as CEO of Central Industry Group (CIG). From 1988, over a period of 15 years, he managed the portfolio of 14 subsidiaries, transforming the group into a focused and commercially successful enterprise. Specifically, he led a successful change in strategy away from shipbuilding, towards engineering and marine supply chain, whilst simultaneously growing the group’s international operations. This experience remains highly relevant and formed the basis of the strategy for DGR.

André is a qualified naval architect and business economist, and with his experience and broad international network, he is widely known for his strategic and business development acumen in the marine sector. As senior advisor, André remains involved in the DGR group activities, including acting as a solid sparring partner for management.