Isabel Arends Director-General RIVM at VWS

The RIVM acts as an independent scientific institute committed to a healthy population and a sustainable, safe, and healthy living environment for current and future generations. The RIVM advises national and other governments, citizens, and professionals based on scientific knowledge and research, coordinates prevention programs, and is ready in times of crisis.

The Director-General is the figurehead of the RIVM and ensures that the RIVM further develops as a learning organization working on societal challenges in the fields of public health and environment. She makes necessary choices regarding innovation, digitization, and collaboration with national and international knowledge partners. Together with the RIVMs executive board, the Director-General translates the recently established Strategy RIVM2030 into concrete results, stimulates cooperation between various directorates and external partners, and stands for the institutes independent knowledge position.

Anita van den Ende, Secretary-General VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport)

“The VWS Executive Board is pleased with Isabels appointment. The RIVM is an important, independent part of the VWS concern and plays a crucial role in research into healthy living and the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Her scientific knowledge and expertise, combined with her managerial experience, make Isabel the right person to lead the RIVM. We look forward to working with her.”

Isabel Arends, DG Director-General (Director-General) RIVM as of April 1, 2026

“I am honored to start at the RIVM! The RIVM is an organization with a strong social mission where professionals work daily on health and safety through expertise and collaboration. I am happy to contribute with my broad experience in managing knowledge-intensive organizations and my coaching leadership style. I believe in openness: showing how knowledge is created and strengthening the connection between science, policy, and practice. Especially in challenging times. Creating calm, clarity, and connection is paramount.”

Prof. Dr. doctor (doctor) I.W.C.E. (Isabel) Arends has held various positions at Utrecht University since 2018, including dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of Sustainable Organic Chemistry. Previously, she was head of the Biotechnology department at the TU Technical University (Technical University) Delft. She also founded the Bioengineering Institute TU Delft, where she was director from 2016 to 2018. Isabel Arends studied Physical Organic Chemistry at Leiden University, where she also obtained her PhD in 1993. In her new role as DG, Isabel Arends plans to remain affiliated as a professor with Utrecht University.

This appointment was made through the top management group procedure of the General Administrative Service. The Directorate-General General Administrative Service conducted the recruitment for this appointment and supported the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the selection. The vacancy was widely publicized as usual, allowing everyone to apply.