“Sarah Wilton-Wels' ambitions and views on education and research are very much in line with RUAS' new Strategic Agenda,” said Coert Beerman, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Her experience with change assignments in higher professional education will be very valuable in implementing this Agenda, which we will share with the organisation in May. We are very impressed with what she has achieved in higher education to date. We therefore welcome Sarah with confidence as the new Chair of the Executive Board.”
The Rotterdam mentality, such as diligence, being approachable, down-to-earth, and open-minded, also fits the new chair of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Coert Beerman: “With these qualities, she has amply demonstrated in education and business that she can successfully lead organisational change.”
Sarah Wilton-Wels studied at the NHL Stenden Hospitality School of Management in Leeuwarden, followed by a degree in Business Administration at Radboud University in Nijmegen. She also holds an Executive MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. She started her career in the financial sector, where she held various positions at ING Bank and ABN AMRO. In 2018, she switched to higher professional education and worked as Director of the Faculty of Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Since 2020, Sarah Wilton-Wels has been a member of the Executive Board of Avans University of Applied Sciences. She was responsible for Human Resources & Organisational Development, Finance, Digitalisation & ICT, Housing & Facilities, and had three education clusters and non-funded education in her portfolio. She has led several organisational changes in both business and education.
Sarah Wilton-Wels is married with two children aged 13 and 14. She has enjoyed living in Rotterdam for 17 years and is looking forward to working in the city again. "Rotterdam is my heart and soul. The organisation is facing some major challenges and it is a great moment for me to step in as we will be implementing the new Strategic Agenda.”
The outgoing Chairman of the Board, Ron Bormans, is confident about the future. “The UAS must and will take solid steps in the coming years. Our strength, the team of directors and an executive board led by Sarah, who has a lot of experience in taking the necessary steps, will ensure this.”
