Amsterdam’s Fairphone CEO Eva Gouwens to step down, paving way for new leadership

Picture credit: Eva Gouwens LinkedIn

Fairphone’s CEO, Eva Gouwens, introduced her resolution to step down from her publish by a LinkedIn publish.  

Having served as CEO for six years, she has spearheaded a number of accomplishments within the firm’s journey towards sustainability within the client electronics business.

“The choice was not simple to make, but it’s the proper one. Within the phrases of Jacinda Arderns ‘I do know what this job takes, and I do know I now not have sufficient within the tank to do it justice. It’s so simple as that,” says Gouwens.

Gouwens believes that the timing is acceptable for her departure, notably since Fairphone lately secured a big funding to assist the corporate’s future endeavors.

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In the course of the transition interval, the administration group comprising Noud Tillemans, Monique Lempers, Xavier Blanvillain, and Corné le Clercq will oversee Fairphone’s operations.

They can even be answerable for choosing and appointing Gouwens’ successor. The corporate’s Supervisory Board and new shareholders have already initiated the method of figuring out a brand new CEO.

Throughout her tenure as CEO, Gouwens led the group to attain important milestones, akin to launching three new iterations of the Fairphone, introducing the totally modular and simply repairable Fairbuds XL, and pioneering e-waste recycling campaigns to founding the Honest Cobalt Alliance. 

“We made the corporate a worthwhile enterprise for our buyers and shareholders, displaying the business that being worthwhile and sustainable as a client electronics firm is feasible,” provides Gouwnes. 

Fairphone’s merchandise include five-year warranties and 7 years of software program assist, include extra truthful supplies, and are worthwhile for buyers and shareholders.

“I’m additionally very happy with the group I’ve helped arrange throughout the Netherlands, Taiwan and China. Their dedication to our mission and professionalism have been a driving pressure on my journey,” she continues. 

“I’m so grateful to each one among you for believing in me all these years and grateful for the honour to cheer you on and lead you on our mission to make smartphones smarter,” concludes Gouwens.

The announcement comes over a month after Fairbuds XL was launched, the corporate’s first modular audio gadget. Earlier in February, the Amsterdam-based firm raised €20M from Make investments-NL.

Fairphone: In direction of a fairer electronics business

Based in 2013 by Bas van Abel, Fairphone goals to encourage the complete electronics business to behave extra responsibly. 

In accordance with the corporate, each Fairphone cellphone demonstrates the demand for moral electronics mixed with a worthwhile enterprise technique. 

Fairphone claims it’s turning into influential available in the market to encourage producers and suppliers to maintain investing in enhancing working situations, akin to worker satisfaction and sustainable enterprise practices, and offering higher alternatives for the communities linked to the availability chain.

The B-Corp-certified firm has greater than 70 workers from 20 international locations. Presently, there are greater than 100,000 Fairphone house owners.