Fairphone’s CEO, Eva Gouwens, announced her decision to step down from her post through a LinkedIn post.
Having served as CEO for six years, she has spearheaded several accomplishments in the company’s journey toward sustainability in the consumer electronics industry.
“The decision was not easy to make, yet it is the right one. In the words of Jacinda Arderns ‘I know what this job takes, and I know I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s as simple as that,” says Gouwens.
Gouwens believes that the timing is appropriate for her departure, particularly since Fairphone recently secured a significant investment to support the company’s future endeavors.
During the transition period, the management team comprising Noud Tillemans, Monique Lempers, Xavier Blanvillain, and Corné le Clercq will oversee Fairphone’s operations.
They will also be responsible for selecting and appointing Gouwens’ successor. The company’s Supervisory Board and new shareholders have already initiated the process of identifying a new CEO.
During her tenure as CEO, Gouwens led the team to achieve significant milestones, such as launching three new iterations of the Fairphone, introducing the fully modular and easily repairable Fairbuds XL, and pioneering e-waste recycling campaigns to founding the Fair Cobalt Alliance.
“We made the company a profitable venture for our investors and shareholders, showing the industry that being profitable and sustainable as a consumer electronics company is possible,” adds Gouwnes.
Fairphone’s products come with five-year warranties and seven years of software support, contain more fair materials, and are profitable for investors and shareholders.
“I am also very proud of the team I have helped set up across the Netherlands, Taiwan and China. Their commitment to our mission and professionalism have been a driving force on my journey,” she continues.
“I am so grateful to every one of you for believing in me all these years and thankful for the honour to cheer you on and lead you on our mission to make smartphones smarter,” concludes Gouwens.
The announcement comes over a month after Fairbuds XL was launched, the company’s first modular audio device. Earlier in February, the Amsterdam-based company raised €20M from Invest-NL.
Fairphone: Towards a fairer electronics industry
Founded in 2013 by Bas van Abel, Fairphone aims to inspire the entire electronics industry to act more responsibly.
According to the company, every Fairphone phone demonstrates the demand for ethical electronics combined with a profitable business strategy.
Fairphone claims it is becoming influential in the market to encourage manufacturers and suppliers to keep investing in improving working conditions, such as employee satisfaction and sustainable business practices, and providing better opportunities for the communities connected to the supply chain.
The B-Corp-certified company has more than 70 employees from 20 countries. Currently, there are more than 100,000 Fairphone owners.
Read the orginal article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/fairphone-ceo-eva-gouwens-to-step-down/
