Cees Overdijk

Background

About Cees Overdijk

I enjoy situations where I can build constructive relationships with customers in spite of challenging circumstances and balance technical, legal and commercial interests. Integrity, honesty, and open communication are driving principles for me. Since 2011 I have been involved in the Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) EnabLED licensing program under which we license out close to patents to the lighting industry. In that time, we have grown from about 200 licensees to 1300; an astonishing number by any metric. In 2018 I was entrusted with the regional responsibility for the Benelux, UK and Nordics markets and have grown our licensee base substantially by successfully closing numerous licensing agreements. Since 2021 I am also responsible for the DACH and Eastern and Central European markets. Prior to joining the EnabLED program, I was active in commercializing Philips Intellectual Property in the form of Technology Licensing projects. In this function I was integrally responsible for technology assessment, valuation, customer acquisition, negotiations and contracting. Before becoming engaged with Intellectual Property, I traveled the world as an expat for fifteen years in various capacities from Marketing and Sales manager in the US to Senior Product Marketing Manager for Philips Semiconductors (now known as NXP) Digital TV Systems in Southampton in the UK. Having lived and worked in three continents, I am fascinated by cultural differences and being able to bridge those. I am a keen traveler always open to new experiences! Ever since working many summer holidays on archeological excavations in Switzerland in my youth, I have developed an interest in history and putting things in context besides being outdoors.