Maarten van Gaans - Gijbels (Sittard, 1988) will become the new Director of Element NL as of 5 January 2026. Element NL is the industry association representing companies active in the production and transport of natural gas, oil and CO₂ storage in the Netherlands. With his broad experience in politics, public administration and the energy sector, Van Gaans - Gijbels brings the leadership Element NL needs at a time of major change in the Dutch energy system.
As Director, Van Gaans - Gijbels will focus on further strengthening the role of Element NL in the energy transition. In addition to representing the interests of its members, he will also work internally on a new way of collaborating between Element NL and its member companies.
From July 2021 to April 2023, Van Gaans served as a member of the Executive Board of the Province of Limburg, with responsibilities including Energy, Climate, Mobility and Infrastructure. In 2023, he became Chair of the Dutch Association of Inland Ports (NVB), and since January 2024 he has been working as Head of Public Affairs, Climate and Environment at the Association for Energy for Mobility and Industry (VEMOBIN). He has also spent several years as a political adviser in both national and European politics.
“The coming years will be decisive for how the Netherlands organises its energy system,” says Van Gaans - Gijbels. “I look forward to working together with the members and the Element NL team on a transition and future in which domestic natural gas production and CO₂ storage contribute to a reliable, affordable and responsible energy system.”
According to Gerda Verburg, Chair of Element NL, the appointment of Van Gaans - Gijbels fits well with the association’s strategic direction. “Maarten brings administrative experience and a fresh perspective. He understands the complexity of the energy transition and knows how important cooperation is between government, industry and society. With his arrival, we are taking the next step in the further development of Element NL and its members as an authoritative voice in the energy debate.”
Van Gaans - Gijbels succeeds Arendo Schreurs, who stepped down as Director in October after ten years in the role.
