Heesen has announced the appointment of Ruud van der Stroom as the new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective September 1. He succeeds Mark Cavendish.
Ruud brings extensive experience and a unique background to this key role, the yacht builder says. Trained as a Dutch Royal Navy officer and passionate sailor, Ruud has a strong foundation in naval architecture, having studied at the Naval Academy and Delft University of Technology. His professional journey includes several years in commercial shipbuilding, with the past 16 spent at Keppel Offshore and Marine and the Damen Shipyards Group, where he honed his expertise in the maritime industry.
Ruud van der Stroom commented: “This transition marks a significant milestone in my career. My passion for yachting has been a lifelong pursuit, and joining such a prestigious shipyard feels like the perfect culmination of that journey. I am thrilled to be part of this highly professional team and eager to see what the future holds. With Heesen’s strong brand and dedicated team, I am confident that we will make a meaningful impact in the industry!”
Mark Cavendish leaves Heesen after 16 years
Ruud succeeds Mark Cavendish, who will retire after an impressive 16 years with Heesen and many more years in the yachting industry. Under Mark’s leadership, Heesen significantly expanded its reputation, successfully selling numerous yachts ranging from semi-custom to fully custom designs.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mark for his invaluable contributions. His vast experience and deep market knowledge have been instrumental in building a solid platform for Heesen’s continued success,” said Niels Vaessen, Heesen’s CEO. “We are excited to welcome Ruud to the team and look forward to the innovative direction he will bring as we continue to elevate our offerings in the luxury yacht market.”
