Our company builds bridges for talent to work together.
Conscious Aerospace is a Tier 1 systems integrator company with a significant heritage having roots and connections in pioneering aviation for 100 years.
Owned by Unified International, we are building an outstanding and experienced team dedicated to changing aviation for the better of the planet and its inhabitants backed by strong financial investment parties.
OUR MISSION
In five years, we will have the first aircraft flying and engaged with new aircraft build concepts together with other aircraft manufacturers. We seek to realize that ambition by building a Dutch ecosystem outpacing the market with a credible green solution certified by 2028.
We are entering the next phase of pioneering aviation in the Netherlands.
To this end, we collaborate with industrial and institutional organizations that have evolved in the aviation journey of the Netherlands.
Working with great talent who have been part of the more recent journey or want to develop themselves to make a difference.
Dream, Dare, Do, Dutch
Watch the animation below and find out where we are going.
Keynote speech
Let Stephen Hands do the talking.
MEET THE TEAM
Kees van der Snel
COO – Program Director
28 years as a business leader in various operational roles in Technology Companies with complex integration offerings. Experience in the Automotive, Railway business, Automation and Controls, and Shipbuilding industries in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Sales, Project & Program Management, and Operation roles.
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As a professional in Operations and Program Management, Kees has:
Delivered various complex projects for Alstom, Honeywell, Bombardier, and Royal IHC.
Executed restructuring and divestments projects.
Played a pivotal role with customers in large railway Tenders from a technical side as well as from a pure Sales perspective.
Successfully developed several product lines in the High and Very High-speed train segments.
Successfully turned-around Honeywell Maintal from a non-core product line to a stand-alone object intrusion detection and inertial navigation system company.
More recently, Kees was COO of Shipbuilder Royal IHC and guided them through restructuring and the completion of 3 legacy projects.
After having lived for 26 years outside the Netherlands, Kees is now living in The Hague with his wife and 4 children.
Erik Geertsema
Chief Executive Officer
31 years track record in executive leadership positions at Fokker, GKN Aerospace and Panta Holdings. Gained a wealth of experience by leading and growing aftermarket aerospace businesses serving airlines and OEM’s both autonomously as well as through M&A.
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Erik is strategically and customer focus minded and developed and commercialized aftermarket support business models for legacy aircraft fleets and other aircraft programs with airlines, OEM’s and major suppliers. Erik created and negotiated MRO license agreements with Bombardier, ATR, Honeywell, Liebherr and Parker, has driven mergers and acquisitions and many other transactions.
Erik held executive leadership positions in Strategy, Sales & BD, Operations, Finance and Project/ Program Management and has acted as Accountable Manager for EASA & FAA Part 145 repair stations as well as served as Board Member for US and Singapore based entities.
Next to the business experience Erik brings a strong network in the Aerospace ecosystem through Board positions of the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance (since 2020) and previously of the Development Center for Maintenance of Composites (2016 - 2021).
After his military duty, serving as an officer, Erik started his professional career at the Fokker Aircraft company as a management trainee a.o. working on the Fokker 100 aircraft production line.
Erik holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Eli van Goudoever
CFO
10+ years in finance covering various roles in banking & investments and the last 6 years as CFO of multiple fast-growing tech companies, serves as Conscious Aerospace’s chief financial officer with a focus on fundraising and investor relations.
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As a professional in the finance and tech industries, Eli has:
Restructured, worked out and sold commercial debt while at GE Capital.
Executed investments and divestments in tech start-ups at Sanoma Ventures.
Raised over 30 million in funding and lead the corporate functions (Legal, HR, IT security) while the company grew from 50 to 150 FTE as CFO at EclecticIQ, a leading technology provider for intelligence-led security.
Raised 17 million in equity and debt as CFO of Zivver, the Dutch market leader in secure communications.
More recently Eli strategically advised two fintech companies on strategic transactions, and risk management and served as interim CFO for a medical technology company.
Stephen Hands
Member of the Board of Management – Strategy & Business Development
40 years in aviation with 25+ years in Senior Marketing & Sales/Business Development roles, and is a Senior Member of the Unified International team focussing on Commercial aviation.
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A former Vice President Business Development at Fokker Technologies in the Netherlands, Stephen has:
40 years in aviation with 25+ years in Senior Marketing and Sales/Business Development roles leading global sales teams to deliver the business objectives of which 22 years were at Fokker Technologies in the Netherlands.
Extensively worked in both the Original Equipment and Aftermarket supply chains of the aircraft industry.
Successfully transitioned Fokker Elmo from an internal wiring company within Fokker Aircraft into a global leader in aircraft electrical wiring systems (EWIS).
Successfully introduced variable frequency power generation to large civil aircraft challenging the 50-year dependency on a constant frequency which represented the most significant step towards the more electric aircraft.
Strategically and focused-minded creation and delivery for Sales, new product introduction, business positioning, and diversification.
Project Management, most recently leading the creation of a Technology Park on behalf of local government.
MEET THE FOUNDER
“I am passionate at helping bring innovation and businesses to their next level in aviation. Conscious Aerospace provides the springboard to reposition the Dutch aviation capability. The Netherlands has a history of pioneering aviation with Anthony Fokker over 100 years ago. Conscious Aerospace will pioneer the regional market for the next 100 years.”
— Michel van Ierland | Founder & Owner Unified International and Conscious Aerospace
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26 years experience in aviation of which 7 years as an entrepreneur active in creating truly sustainable value for its partners and clients. Acting Managing Partner of the Unified International team.
Founded Unified International 7 years ago, the #1 Hands On Boutique Consultancy for aerospace and defense.
Founder of Conscious Aerospace in 2022.
Extensively worked in both the Development of new Aircraft and Aircraft systems in cooperation with the Original Equipment Aircraft industry around the world.
Working closely with governments and technology institutes to shape new high-tech transitions.
Entrepreneurial with a clear market and technology vision in the creation of new business. A team builder for business creation, positioning, and diversification.
We are honoured to have such a wealth of experience to provide independent advice to our team to realise our ambitions in our journey.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Peter Hartman
Ex-President and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board Air France KLM S.A.
“During my 45 year journey in aviation we have witnessed so many challenges and technology advancements, but the challenge the industry now faces is the most significant. I am delighted be contributing to the initiative of Conscious Aerospace to accelerate the implementation of zero emissions in significant areas of the aviation market.”
Hans Büthker
CEO Chief Executive Officer, Neways Electronics Intl NV and ex CEO GKN Aerospace.
“The Netherlands has a proud history in pioneering aviation, it is a nation with significant innovation impact across many mobility industries with a solid industrial base. I truly believe leveraging these through its strong Eco System Conscious Aerospace can make a difference for the new phase in aviation and I am proud to play a small part in bringing these capabilities together in a sustainable manner.”