Daphne Thijssen-Timmer to become COO of the Spaarne Gasthuis

Daphne Thijssen-Timmer will become chief operating officer (COO) and member of the three-member Board of Directors of the Spaarne Gasthuis effective April 1 2024. Daphne worked at Sanquin for 19.5 years in various roles, the last seven of which as Blood Bank Director and member of the Executive Committee.

CEO of Sanquin Ivo van Schaik said, "In recent years, Daphne has been responsible for the Blood Bank and its professionalization; from the establishment of supply chain management and a strategic portfolio office to the digital transformation and sustainable housing of the blood bank chain. We will miss Daphne as a very committed person and extremely knowledgeable colleague. We wish her every success at the Spaarne Gasthuis."

Thijssen-Timmer says she’s leaving with mixed feelings: “Everything Sanquin stands for, our social mission, the colleagues, the donors; it's in my heart. I have enjoyed working for Sanquin. At the same time, it's time for the next step, which I am greatly looking forward to." 

Daphne started at Sanquin Research as a postdoc researcher and later became group leader. She then became project leader Cellular Therapies at the Cell Therapy Laboratory, managing director Tissues & Cells and was seconded as CEO of BISLIFE for two years. Finally, seven years ago, Daphne joined Sanquin's Board of Directors as director of the Blood Bank. Daphne is also a member of the Executive Board of the European Blood Alliance and founder of the Sanquin Research Fund.

The ExCo will consider Daphne's succession in close consultation with the Supervisory Board.