New chief commercial officer at Heesen
Heesen Yachts has appointed Ruud van der Stroom as its new chief commercial officer (CCO), effective 1 September 2024.
With a solid foundation in naval architecture, Van der Stroom is a trained Dutch Royal Navy officer and an avid sailor. He studied at both the Naval Academy and Delft University of Technology. His professional experience spans several years in commercial shipbuilding – he has spent the past 16 years at Keppel Offshore and Marine and Damen Shipyards Group.
“This transition marks a significant milestone in my career,” says van der Stroom. “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.”
Van der Stroom takes over from Mark Cavendish, who is retiring after a 16-year tenure at Heesen.
“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,” says 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.”
Last year, MIN reported that construction was well underway on Heesen’s new YN 20555, codenamed Project Serena; the vessel remains on track for its November 2024 delivery date.
