Alexander Zwart, CIO of Rabobank, is the winner of the 2025 CIO of the Year Award. He owes the prize, which was handed out on CIODAY, to his clear strategy and the balance he has struck between innovation on the one hand and safeguarding standards and security on the other, helping the bank navigate uncertain times. In addition to the CIO Award, the Tech Hero Award was presented to Avular, a manufacturer of mobile robot platforms.
“Alexander Zwart has a deep understanding of his organization’s business model and risks and is also transparent about problems. In addition to the responsibility he takes for Rabobank, he also looks beyond his organization. He seeks cooperation within and outside his industry and is thus an example of leading forward,” said jury chairman Martijn Koning.
Overall, Rabobank’s CIO emerged as the best candidate from the selection process. This thorough process includes an assessment based on the Digital Acceleration Index (a qualitative and quantitative research by BCG, The Boston Consulting Group) and an intensive leadership assessment by Squadra and Techterra. A research assignment by Erik Beulen, Professor of Information Management at the University of Manchester and Program Director of the Digital Knowledge Institute Netherlands, is also part of the process. Finally, the CIO TV editorial team evaluates the role the candidate plays in the Dutch CIO community.
The twenty-first CIO of the Year Award was presented on Tuesday, November 25, at CIODAY2025. In addition to the winner, Kurt De Ruwe (AkzoNobel), Laura Klaver (Thales), and Matthijs Zwart (Vitens) were nominated. Like the winner, they were characterized by a strong focus on people, innovation, and results.
“The role of the CIO is now directly linked to transformation, making it clear that a CIO must know digitization in detail and embrace it across the board,” says Rob Beijleveld, initiator of the CIO of the Year Award. “Good internal communication is essential to get all stakeholders on board. This is an ongoing process. A transformation is never complete; innovations are constantly emerging that force a CIO to adjust course.”
The CIO of the Year Award follows a strict, objective process, with the prize awarded to the candidate who scores highest on performance and on how they fulfill their role and function. The fact that one winner was ultimately chosen in no way implies a negative assessment of the other nominees. They are all worthy candidates.
“Alexander Zwart clearly demonstrated what modern digital leadership looks like — combining clarity, discipline, and trust to turn technology into a true enabler for Rabobank’s strategy. He has built a strong foundation of governance, data, and security that allows the bank to innovate responsibly and at scale,” said jury member Berry Diepeveen.
The assessment by BCG and Squadra took into account performance, the perception of the CIO by the business, and personal competencies. The final jury meeting in the Bossche Boardroom in Den Bosch, where all nominees were present, was a final validation of the selection process.
The jury members are Berry Diepeveen, Senior Partner & Managing Director at BCG, Tjibbe van der Zeeuw, co-founder of Squadra, and Rob Beijleveld, CEO of ICT Media. Martijn Koning, chairman of CIO Platform Nederland and CDO at AutoBinck, is the jury chairman. New to the group is Aart Rupert, CIO of Damen and CIO of the Year 2023, who will make way for the 2024 winner, Ing Yan Ong (former Global CIO of Heineken), for the 2026 election. Erik Beulen has also been a jury member since this year. This gives the criteria for the CIO of the Year Award an academic foundation.
In addition to the CIO of the Year Award, the Tech Hero Award was also handed out. Albert Maas, CEO of Avular, accepted the award. His company owes the prize to its consistently implemented vertical integration strategy and innovative robotics platform, which it also makes available to other companies.
In addition to Avular, Quantware, which designs, manufactures, and licenses processors for quantum computers, and Hyfen, which makes pensions digitally accessible and understandable for pensioners, were also nominated for the annual award, which was presented for the third time.
Parties eligible for the Tech Hero Award have built their business around their digital core. They are future-proof and organized in a way that allows them to adapt to the latest developments. “We benchmark organizations on fundamental technological capabilities,” said the jury. “Companies must prove that they can implement fundamental changes and, if necessary, innovate operationally and in terms of business.” The award puts companies in the spotlight, allowing them to inspire other organizations, industries, and society as a whole. “Companies we can all learn something from,” according to the jury.
Avular emerged as the best candidate overall from the selection process, based on BCG’s Digital Acceleration Index and a personal assessment by Amrop. There were also personal interviews, short pitches, and a discussion between all candidates and jury members.
The jury for the Tech Hero Award consists of Martijn Koning, Nick Smaling, Managing Director & Partner at BCG, Rob Beijleveld, Erik Beulen, and Job Voorhoeve, partner at Amrop, and new to the group. Also new to the jury is Matthijs Welle, CEO of Mews, winner of the Tech Hero Award 2024, who will give up his seat for the latest winner, Albert Maas, for the 2026 election.
Image credit: Dennis Khalil