31/03/2026
Today marks Luc Van den hove’s last day as CEO of imec. As of tomorrow, he steps into his new role as Chairman of imec. Before turning the page, we take a moment to reflect on an exceptional journey, from a young researcher to the CEO of the world’s leading chip R&D lab.
More than 40 years ago, Luc joined imec at its very beginning. Back then, breaking the 1-micron barrier was a bold ambition. Today, we are on the verge of 2nm.
“Even for someone who has witnessed this evolution from the front row, that is mind-blowing.” But Luc’s story is not just about technology, it’s about people, vision, and perseverance. Early in his career, he was already negotiating with global industry players, helping shape the collaboration model that would later define imec, built on trust, partnership, and the belief that working together enables breakthroughs no one can achieve alone.
Seventeen years ago, after a long day of meetings, a simple question over dinner changed everything: Would you be willing to become CEO? He said yes.
What followed was a period of remarkable growth, but also moments of uncertainty, where leadership meant staying open, decisive, and human. “Never say no. Never give up. Stay humble.” It’s a philosophy that shaped not only his leadership, but the culture of imec itself.
Today, as Luc hands over the role of CEO, we don’t just mark the end of a chapter. We celebrate a journey that helped shape imec into what it is today, and that will continue in a new role, as Chairman.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗟𝘂𝗰.
Read the full story and discover how Luc helped build the foundations of imec.
Luc Van den hove steps into his new role as Chairman of imec. Time to reflect on his journey: from a young researcher to the CEO of the world's leading chip R&D lab.