Return as new Chief Financial Officer

After only eight months as VP Finance & Control at Royal Reesink B.V. in Apeldoorn (NL), Jurgen Berendsen returned to Symeres, a global contract research, development and manufacturing organisation, headquartered in Nijmegen, at the beginning of 2026.

In 2022, he had taken on the newly created position of Group Financial Controller there and played a key role in Symeres’ restructuring phase. He implemented important transformation programmes, including the updating of financial systems (ERP) and compliance initiatives. In doing so, he worked closely with the Executive Board.

His belief in the company’s mission and its ability to hold its own in the market had prompted him to return. “Returning to Symeres as CFO is an extremely exciting opportunity,” said Berendsen. “Symeres has all the ingredients for long-term growth and success. I am proud to join a strong and dedicated leadership team who is unwaveringly committed to delivering optimal outcomes for customers, employees, and shareholders alike.”

In his new role, Berendsen will oversee Symeres’ global financial operations and once again work closely with senior management to support sustainable growth and strengthen finances. The aim is to foster long-term customer partnerships and drive innovation such as AI and integrated delivery models.

Symeres is a mid-sized transatlantic CRDMO for drug discovery and development operating across sites in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Finland, and the US. Services span from preclinical hit finding all the way to the delivery of early clinical phase drug substance API.