Moonshot Governance Board (MGB)

Role of the Moonshot Governance Board

The Moonshot Governance Board (MGB) independently monitors the strategy and vision of Moonshot. It also approves finalized Moonshot project proposals for submission to the relevant decision-making bodies.

The Moonshot Governance Board (MGB) is assigned to:

  • monitor and support coordination, in first instance, with the Cabinet Innovation and Economy, but also guarantee the relationship with other relevant cabinets and administrations;
  • evaluate and stimulate Moonshot initiatives within the set objective;
  • evaluate the government’s compliance with the engagement and consult with the government in the event of identified or necessary deviations;
  • safeguard the pursuit of fundamental breakthroughs in basic research, the accelerated upscaling of promising technologies and the transfer to economic actors, via the regular (spearhead cluster) channels to achieve implementation in industry in the short term;
  • evaluate the applicability in other sectors and stimulate and initiate consultation with those sectors;
  • follow up the regulatory framework and discuss it with the government if necessary.

The MGB consists of a broad group of business managers, CEOs and other executives. Members of the MGB have expertise in the three industry sectors involved in the Moonshot initiative and/or experience with cross-sectoral cooperation within the Flemish industrial landscape.

Members

President: 

Peter Roose (Catalisti)

Representatives of the industrial sectors

  • Chemicals: Dirk Dompas, INEOS Inovyn
  • Petrochemicals: Jacques Beuckelaers, TotalEnergies; Stijn Van Lierde, ExxonMobil
  • Steel and iron: Manfred Van Vlierberghe, ArcelorMittal
  • Energy: Jan Mertens, Engie

Presidents of the Flemish spearhead clusters

  • Catalisti: Peter Roose
  • Flux50: Jan Jaeken
  • De Blauwe Cluster: Jos Smits
  • Flanders FOOD: Jan Vander Stichele
  • VIL: Danny Van Himste
  • Medvia: Herman Verrelst

Representatives of the Flemish government

  • observer for the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO): Mark Andries or Annie Renders
  • observer for the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI): Johan Hanssens

Representatives of the sector federations

  • essenscia: Ann Wurman
  • Representatives of other sector federations are invited ad hoc.

The MGB meets at least twice a year. Meetings of the MGB are moderated by Tine Schaerlaekens, manager of the Moonshot operational team, who acts as observing member and secretary to the MGB.