NIJMEGEN – Mark van der Drift is leaving Cornelissen after almost ten years with the Dutch logistics company. Van der Drift will remain CEO until 31 December 2026, after which Chris Dik will take over his duties. Van der Drift says the decision was made in close consultation with Henk Cornelissen and that the time is right for a new phase.
Van der Drift joined the family-owned company in June 2017. He says he was given considerable trust from the outset by Henk Cornelissen and his family. Together with Cornelissen and the wider team, he worked on the company’s growth and development over the following years.
During that period, Cornelissen grew significantly in terms of size, number of locations, revenue and results, according to Van der Drift. The company also broadened its activities, developing from a transport company into an increasingly comprehensive logistics service provider.
Cornelissen also became one of the frontrunners in the energy transition, according to the departing CEO. The company’s growth strategy was successfully achieved twice during his time at the helm.
‘Right time for the next phase’
Van der Drift stresses that growth is not only about figures. He says he is particularly proud of the people who took responsibility, identified opportunities, pushed boundaries and worked together to build the company.
He believes Cornelissen is now a professional and entrepreneurial logistics company with a broad range of services and a strong foundation for the future. After almost ten years, he considers this the right moment to make way for a new phase, both for Cornelissen and for himself.
Van der Drift will remain CEO until the end of this year.
Chris Dik to take over
From 1 January 2027, Chris Dik will take over Van der Drift’s duties. According to Van der Drift, the appointment provides continuity within Cornelissen’s management.
Dik has management experience at Albert Heijn, Hoogvliet and Amarant, according to the announcement. Van der Drift says Dik is the right person to lead Cornelissen into its next phase together with the company’s team.
Van der Drift has not yet decided what his own next step will be. He intends to take some time to reflect on the past years before deciding where his experience, energy and ambitions will take him next.
“I will leave with an incredible sense of pride and gratitude for everything we have achieved together as a team,” Van der Drift said.
