DataExpert announces new CEO
DataExpert has a new CEO as of 25 September 2024. Martijn Hakstege will take over from Robbert Bakker.
After a series of successful mergers with DetACT, Avian Forensics, Mediarecovery and Safesqr earlier this year, Bakker started the search for a successor who can lead DataExpert to develop further into a major player in Europe when it comes to fighting (cyber)crime and fraud and improving cybersecurity. Together with the DataExpert management team and the Supervisory Board, Bakker has selected Hakstege as his successor.
Martijn Hakstege is an expert in and passionate about the Safety & Security domain. He brings his experience as CEO of Onsight, Qsight, KPN Security and Tesorion to DataExpert. This makes him the right man for the job to further develop DataExpert as European cybercrime, fraud and cybersecurity supplier.
Martijn Hakstege: “I am looking forward to starting my role at DataExpert. It is an organization that I have known for quite a while now and have worked with in previous roles. I am fully onboard with DataExpert’s mission, vision and values. Contributing to a safer world has been a common thread in my career. I am happy to be continuing this at DataExpert.”
The appointment of Hakstege is supported by DataExpert’s majority owner, Bridgepoint, the global private equity group. Bridgepoint announced a strategic investment in DataExpert in 2023 via its Bridgepoint Development Capital IV (“BDC IV”) fund, which focuses on investing in mid-market growth businesses across Europe.
Robbert Bakker, CEO of DataExpert: “We were looking for a successor who has the same mindset as we do, who understands what we feel is important at DataExpert, but also someone who will thrive in international organizations with multiple locations across Europe. We have found this in Martijn. We have grown exponentially over the last years. Now the time has come to start offering our specialised products and services to all European customers, allowing us to support our customers even better and at the same time strengthening our position as a major player in Europe. Martijn and DataExpert have the same mission: fighting (cyber)crime and fraud and improving cybersecurity.”
DataExpert’s mission is to empower law enforcement, military, intelligence agencies, customs, other government organizations, banks, telecommunication companies, insurance companies, and other commercial enterprises to fight (cyber)crime and fraud and protect organizations against (cyber)criminals. To this aim, DataExpert delivers a wide portfolio of digital forensics, analytics, and cybersecurity solutions and services to its customers.
In the coming weeks, Hakstege and Bakker will work closely as Hakstege takes on more CEO tasks. After the official handover, Bakker will take a seat on the Supervisory Board of DataExpert.
Hakstege and Bakker look forward to continuing working on Safety & Security as a leading technology and knowledge partner in the field of cybercrime, fraud and cybersecurity.
