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EIT Water has announced the appointment of Mikael Kamp Sørensen as its founding Chief Executive Officer, taking up the role on 1 September 2026. EIT Water is the newest Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Mikael joins EIT Water from DHI, a globally recognised research and technology organisation specialising in water and environment, where he has held senior leadership roles since 2007, including as Managing Director of DHI subsidiaries. During 2021-26 he served as Executive Vice President for global business units within offshore energy, ports and water resources.
His career spans the full breadth of water, marine and maritime expertise: from freshwater hydrology and water resources management to marine ecosystem assessment, offshore energy, ports and coastal resilience. He brings a proven track record of scaling scientific innovation into commercially sustainable solutions, having consistently delivered significant revenue growth while building high-performing teams across Europe and internationally.
Europe’s water, marine and maritime sectors and ecosystems face unprecedented pressures, from ecosystem degradation and pollution to climate-related extremes and resource scarcity. EIT Water was established to unite innovators, researchers, educators and policymakers across Europe to address these challenges through coordinated, place-based innovation.
As founding CEO, Mikael Kamp Sørensen will lead the organisation through its critical transition from startup to full operations in 2027, overseeing the delivery of EIT Water’s 7-year strategic agenda, building financial sustainability and establishing the partnerships needed to drive systemic change across Europe’s water innovation ecosystem.
He succeeds Hero Prins, who has served as Interim CEO during EIT Water’s Start-up Grant Agreement phase in 2026, guiding the organisation through its foundational period including the establishment of its governance structures, regional hub network and first operational programmes.
Perrett Laver are delighted to continue supporting EIT Water in the appointment of their senior team. For more information on live roles with EIT Water please contact the team below or visit the EIT Water recruitment page.
As Global Senior Partner, Sinéad is responsible for the long-term strategic development of Perrett Laver alongside the acceleration of its commercial growth.
During her ten years at Perrett Laver, Sinéad established and led the firm’s operations in Amsterdam and Dublin, while continuing to grow Perrett Laver’s Research, Technology and Innovation, and Higher Education practices across Europe.
Sinéad’s experience at Perrett Laver includes advising on senior executive and non-executive appointments for universities, public and privately funded research institutes, as well as research-oriented charities and non-profits.
Sinéad holds an honours degree in Natural Science from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Neuroscience from University College Cork.
Lisbeth is the Managing Partner, Netherlands & Head of Research Europe.
Her experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic, Chair and Professorial appointments globally across all disciplines in higher education.
Lisbeth holds an MSc in Biology, a subsequent MSc in Environmental Management and Sanitation, and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology, all from Ghent University, Belgium. Her doctoral research focussed on the occurrence, effects and risks of marine microplastics. Lisbeth is fluent in Dutch and English, and speaks basic French and German.
Perrett Laver specialises in executive search to identify outstanding leaders globally. We connect influential organisations with dynamic leaders who share common values and visions for the future.
Our deep understanding of each client’s values and culture ensures we find candidates from diverse sources who bring fresh perspectives and real impact.
We connect influential organisations with dynamic leaders who share common values and visions for the future.Our deep understanding of each client’s values and culture ensures we find candidates from diverse sources who bring fresh perspectives and real impact.
