CEO of the Port of Rotterdam wins Distinguished Alumnus Award

Outstanding alumni of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) were honoured with awards from the Dean George Yip during the School’s Lustrum Reunion held on October 9, 2010.

Awards were presented to five alumni for their clearly demonstrated leadership in business, among whom Hans Smits, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam.

Mr Smits has restored good governance to the Port of Rotterdam. After an unhappy period of mismanagement, He has brought back trust, reliability and quality to the company. Smits also serves as an RSM Advisory Board member and has been elected to lead the formation of the Rotterdam City Council. He has also been instrumental in the development of Smart Port, an interdisciplinary and interfacultary research and educational programme in the maritime sector. He has remained closely involved with RSM and its students following his performance as speaker.

The annual RSM Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to outstanding alumni in recognition of excellence in business, and exemplify RSM’s core leadership values of openness, flexibility and acceptance of diversity. The award winners were chosen from the 20,000 alumni who currently hold executive positions in private, public and non-profit organisations worldwide.