Roel van Rijsewijk is a recognized leader in cybersecurity, with over two decades of experience in risk management, governance, and security strategy. He began his career at Deloitte in 1999, spending 20 years building expertise in cyber risk before joining Thales, where he successfully scaled their security business over a five-year period. Beyond his operational leadership, Roel is known for his thought leadership in the field, authoring “Cyberrisico als Kans” in 2015—a book that challenges traditional risk-averse security mindsets by positioning cyber risk as an enabler of innovation rather than a limitation.
Schuberg Philis' mission-critical approach and distinctive organizational structure created an opportunity too compelling to pass up. The company’s focus on delivering solutions for complex, large-scale customers, its dedicated customer teams that plan, build, and run secure systems, and its holacratic model—free from middle management—create an environment where security and business value go hand in hand.
“Roel’s expertise in cybersecurity marketing and his ability to translate risk into business opportunity perfectly align with our philosophy,” said Gerwin Schuring, CEO of Schuberg Philis. “His insights into balancing security, functionality, and usability will help drive innovation without compromising protection, which is essential for our customers’ mission-critical systems.”
On joining Schuberg Philis, Roel commented: “What drew me back into the security market was Schuberg Philis’ unique approach—putting security at the core of mission-critical solutions while fostering a culture of transparency, growth, and well-being. From its dedicated customer teams to its in-house restaurant serving wholesome, healthy food, everything at Schuberg Philis is designed to empower people to perform at their best.”
In his new role, Roel will focus on strengthening security capabilities for Schuberg Philis’ customers, reinforcing the company’s leadership in mission-critical IT services, and driving discussions around security as a catalyst for business transformation. Beyond expanding our security expertise, he is committed to mentoring teams, fostering the next generation of security leaders, and working closely with customers to navigate the evolving cyber landscape.
“At Schuberg Philis, we know that great things happen when people are given the space to thrive,” continues Gerwin Schuring. “With Roel on board, we are confident that we will continue to push boundaries, strengthen relationships, and create lasting impact for our customers and communities.”
We are incredibly proud to welcome Roel van Rijsewijk to our team and look forward to the exciting journey ahead.
