An official announcement from Novamedia, the Postcode Lottery operator, has confirmed that founder Boudewijn Poelmann has stepped down from his role as the organisation’s CEO and chairman.
Poelmann’s decision coincides with the lottery operator surpassing the €10bn mark in charitable donations, and despite stepping down from his CEO and chairman duties the founder is set to remain as a member of Novamedia’s executive board.
Discussing his decision, Poelmann stated: “Now that we are on the way to the second 10 billion euros, this seems to me the perfect time for a new face as chairperson. So it is with great pleasure that I am passing on the gavel to my dear colleague Sigrid van Aken.
“Sigrid is well known to most people and I am confident that with all her talents, and all those creative and passionate colleagues, she will successfully continue our wonderful mission for a better world.”
Poelmann is now set to be succeeded by Sigrid van Aken, who has served as both the chief financial officer of the board and as the chief operating officer of the postcode lottery operator for the last seven years.
In addition to this, van Aken also holds a member position on the executive board of the Holding Nationale Goede Doelen Loterijen, which includes the Dutch Postcode Lottery, the BankGiro Lottery and the FriendsLottery.
Moreover, prior to her employment within Novamedia, the new CEO also garnered experience as the managing director of the Dutch Postcode Lottery, a role which she remained in for 11 years.
Commenting on her promotion van Aken concluded: “It is often said that we are such a special organisation. And we really are. I am happy with this great group of engaged colleagues. Of course, we will continue along the path we have taken. We know exactly what we have to do.”
Novamedia’s Postcode Lottery operates in the UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and Norway.