President and Chief Executive Officer Chairman of Management Board
"My aim is to support our customers in their business mission by creating next generation vibrant media technologies that enable compelling sensory experiences for consumers."
Frans van Houten is President and Chief Executive Officer of NXP Semiconductors, the new semiconductor company separated from Royal Philips in October 2006.
As Chief Executive Officer of Philips Semiconductors from November 2004, Frans initiated a focused business renewal program. The strategy assured a simpler organisation, with more market focus, stronger innovation, cost savings, commitment to quality and better engagement with customers, which has led to accelerated business growth and higher profitability. Frans led the separation from Philips.
Starting his career in 1986 after military service as an officer in the Dutch Navy, Frans held sales and marketing positions in the banking IT field with Philips Data Systems in Belgium and Sweden. He then became CEO of the Philips Airvision startup from 1992 to 1993, based in the USA. From 1993 to 1996, Frans was vice president international sales & operations of Philips Kommunikations Industrie in Nuernberg, Germany. He joined Philips Consumer Electronics in 1996, where he led the introduction of DVD and CD Recording out of the Netherlands. From 1999, he headed up the Philips Consumer Electronics region Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, based in Singapore. In 2002, Frans was appointed CEO of the global Consumer Electronics Business. In this role, he led the business renewal of this division, a program that included lowered costs, improved marketing, and establishment of outsourcing partnerships with TCL (for CRT TV) and TPV (for LCD monitors and TV) to reduce the business risk and leverage the Asian supply base. He accelerated the transformation to more innovative and design driven products such as flat TV and AMBI light, and acquired Gemini, an accessories company in the USA.
Frans has served as a member of the Philips Board of Management since April 1, 2006 as well as being a member of the Philips Group Management Committee from August 1, 2003.
Frans was born in the Netherlands in 1960 and holds a Masters degree in Economics and Business Management from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Frans is married and has four children. His hobbies include sailing, skiing, running and art.
Memberships
- European branch of the World Semiconductor Association
- The Museum of Radio & Television (USA), member of the Board of Governors
- ESIA, President, since December 2006
- MEDEA+, member of the Board
- Board member of the Pôle de Compétivité "Point One", the Netherlands
- Advisory Board member for the IBEB - Erasmus University Rotterdam