HILVERSUM, 12 January 2026 – After 6 years of leadership, Gert-Jan Meppelink is stepping down as CEO of Team EIFFEL as of 9 February 2026. Meppelink, who will join the Supervisory Board, will hand over the reins to Jo Maes, currently CEO Benelux at international technology company Sopra Steria. Following a long period of growth under Meppelink’s leadership, Maes will guide Team EIFFEL into its next phase of expansion.
Successful buy-and-build strategy
Under Meppelink’s leadership, Team EIFFEL has grown into a major player in consultancy, interim services, engineering and project delivery. With Gilde Equity Management as majority shareholder, the company significantly expanded its portfolio through a successful buy-and-build strategy, while organic growth was achieved through a successful transformation into a knowledge-based organization. In 2023, a majority stake was sold to investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners. Under TowerBrook’s ownership, further acquisitions were completed, including engineering firms CLAFIS and Wepro.
With this strong collective now in place and positioned for the next stage of growth, the moment is right for Meppelink to step down as director of the companies within the Team EIFFEL Group and to make the transition to the Supervisory Board.
Integrated, technology-driven services
This next phase will be led by experienced business leader Jo Maes. After a long and successful career in the tech sector, Maes rose to become CEO of Ordina. Following the acquisition by Sopra Steria, he led the integration of Ordina, Sopra Steria and Tobania across the Benelux region as CEO Benelux. Under his leadership, the organisation transformed into a digital business partner with technology-driven solutions, a domain in which Maes also sees significant potential for Team EIFFEL.
Maes explains: “The labels within Team EIFFEL have been market leaders for decades in legal, finance, engineering and project management; people-centred domains where expertise is the foundation. That will of course remain our core business. But technology is becoming an increasingly powerful enabler, especially in today’s rapidly changing world. If we succeed in using tech to accelerate our services and combine our expertise into integrated solutions, Team EIFFEL will enter a meaningful and exciting new phase of growth. I look forward to leading that journey.”
Maes’ appointment marks another important milestone in the company’s continued development. Outgoing CEO Gert-Jan Meppelink reflects proudly on the organisation he leaves behind: “Over the past 6 years, we have successfully built a community of nearly 3,000 talented professionals, making real impact on major societal themes in the Netherlands. Within the Management Team, we have worked towards a balanced mix of strong leaders and seasoned, proven professionals who will shape Team EIFFEL in the years ahead. Our ambitions remain as strong as ever, and I am pleased to continue contributing to this exceptional, purpose-driven organisation as a member of the Supervisory Board.”