Rob van der Salm and Amir Arooni to become CEOs at Centric

Centric will introduce a new governance structure from January 1, 2027. Rob van der Salm and Amir Arooni will succeed Hans van Waaijenburg as CEOs. By appointing two CEOs, Centric is deliberately creating greater focus for its product-focused activities and IT services, enabling both to develop and grow further.

Rob van der Salm will become CEO, with responsibility for the product-focused activities within Digital Government and Retail & Logistics, as well as Centric’s international organisations. Amir Arooni will become CEO, with responsibility for Centric Services. Both will start in their new roles on October 1 and assume operational responsibility for their respective activities from that date. Hans van Waaijenburg will remain CEO and retain overall responsibility for Centric until January 1, supporting Van der Salm and Arooni through a careful handover.

Rob van der Salm en Amir Arooni worden CEO bij Centric

“Centric has taken important steps over the past period and now stands on a strong foundation. This is the right time to give our different activities the focus they need for their continued development and growth. Rob and Amir each bring their own experience, knowledge and strengths and are the right people to shape this next phase. The fact that executives of the calibre of Rob van der Salm and Amir Arooni have chosen Centric reinforces our confidence in the future,” says Hans van Waaijenburg, CEO of Centric.

More focus, one Centric

Centric’s product-focused activities and IT services each have their own market, customer needs, dynamics and growth opportunities. The new governance structure will enable Centric to respond to these more effectively. At the same time, Centric will remain one organisation. The different activities will continue to work together wherever this adds value for customers and will draw on each other’s knowledge and expertise.

Rob van der Salm: further growth of product-focused activities

Rob van der Salm has been Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) and a member of Centric’s management team since April 2025. He has extensive international experience in leading and strategically developing software and technology companies, including at Constellation Software and TSS.

As CEO, Van der Salm will focus on further strengthening Centric’s positions within Digital Government and Retail & Logistics and on responding more quickly to customer needs. He will also be responsible for Centric’s organisations in Romania, Lithuania, Belgium and the Nordics.

Amir Arooni: building further on Centric Services

Amir Arooni is a highly experienced IT executive and entrepreneur with extensive international experience in organisational, business and digital transformations. Through leadership positions at organisations including BNG, NN Group, Capgemini and ING, he has built broad experience in developing and growing organisations. He combines entrepreneurial leadership and a strong customer focus with expertise in cybersecurity, Sovereign Cloud and AI.

As CEO of Centric Services, Arooni will focus on further growth and innovation and on supporting customers with their digital transformation and digital sovereignty. Centric Services aims to develop further as a digital service provider in areas including Sovereign Cloud, Modern Workplace Services, MSP, Consultancy, AI and Cybersecurity, with a strong focus on operational reliability and lasting customer value.

Hans van Waaijenburg to remain involved with Centric as Honorary Chairman

Following the handover, Van Waaijenburg will remain closely involved with Centric. In recognition of his significant contribution to the organisation, he will be appointed Honorary Chairman of Centric Group B.V. from January 1. In this role, he will continue to use his knowledge, experience and network for Centric and, where needed, remain involved with customers and business relationships.